It’s Tuesday…
President Biden’s public schedule for 01/02/2024:
| 9:00 AM Presidential Daily Brief | The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing Residence of Bill and Connie Neville, Christiansted, VIClosed Press |
| 11:00 AM | Out-of-Town Pool Call Time (12:00 PM Local) Residence of Bill and Connie Neville, Christiansted, VIOut-of-Town Pool |
| 5:45 PM Leaves St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands | The President and The First Lady depart St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands en route to Joint Base Andrews (6:45 PM Local) Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, VI Out-of-Town Pool |
| 8:15 PM | In-Town Pool Call Time The White House In-Town Pool |
| 9:45 PM Leaves Joint Base Andrews | The President and The First Lady depart Joint Base Andrews en route to the White House Joint Base Andrews Out-of-Town Pool |
| 9:55 PM Arrives at the White House | The President and The First Lady arrive at the White House South Lawn Open Press |
Remembering Former U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson Tweet
From Tuesday…
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was a dedicated nurse, state legislator, and leader with a commitment to the promise of America.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 2, 2024
Jill and I send our love to her family, friends, and the people she proudly represented, who were fortunate to have her as their champion.
His full statement:
Eddie Bernice Johnson was a dedicated nurse, state legislator, and longtime U.S. congresswoman with immense courage and a commitment to the promise of America. She had unwavering dedication to the people of North Texas.
White House.gov. 12/31/2023.
She and I worked together throughout her 30 years in Congress, and I’ve always been grateful for her friendship and partnership.
Eddie Bernice turned a childhood dream to work in medicine into a lifetime of service, fighting to get millions of Americans access to healthcare, education, and opportunity.
Early on, as the chief psychiatric nurse at the Veterans Administration in Dallas, she helped our nation to fulfill its most sacred obligation, to care for the troops we sent into harm’s way when they’re home. And in the Texas statehouse and then over 30 years as the first Black American elected to Congress from Dallas, she fought to expand civil rights, to create jobs, to combat the climate crisis, and much more. Recently, her leadership was crucial in passing our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and making sure America leads the industries of the future.
Throughout her life, and as the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, she was an icon and mentor to generations of public servants, through whom her legacy of resilience and purpose will endure.
Jill and I send our love to her family, including her son Kirk and her grandchildren Kirk Jr, David, and James; to her many friends; and to the people of Texas’ 30th Congressional District, who were so fortunate to have her as their champion for so long.
The Vice President offered the following statement:
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was a visionary, a pioneer, and a fighter.
At a young age, she witnessed and experienced the profound effects of segregation and decided she would not stay on the sidelines in the fight for justice. She would go on to have a trailblazing career — from becoming the first Black chief psychiatric nurse at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Hospital and the first Black woman elected to public office in Dallas, to serving in the state legislature, becoming the first Black person to represent Dallas in Congress, and making history as the first registered nurse elected to the House of Representatives.
Throughout her long career in public service, she was always clear-eyed about what she was fighting for: the right of every person in Dallas and across the country to live free from discrimination and to have the opportunity to live up to their full potential.
As the first person of color and woman to chair the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, she played an instrumental role in the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, which is making historic investments in our economy, innovation, and HBCUs.
I had the privilege to serve alongside her in the Congressional Black Caucus and know that so many have benefited from her tireless work, myself included. Her legacy and leadership will be felt for generations to come.
Today, Doug and I are thinking of Congresswoman Johnson, her family, her community, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and all of those whose lives she impacted.
White House.gov. 12/31/2023.
NPR.org reported on Sunday; Trailblazing longtime U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, a nurse from Texas who helped bring hundreds of millions of federal dollars to the Dallas area as the region’s most powerful Democrat, died Sunday. She was 88.
From the White House…
01/01/2024:
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Earthquake in Japan:
Jill and I are praying for the people of Japan who have been impacted by the terrible earthquake. My administration is in touch with Japanese officials, and the United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people. As close Allies, the United States and Japan share a deep bond of friendship that unites our people. Our thoughts are with the Japanese people during this difficult time.
White House.gov. 01/01/2024.
AP News said this morning that according to officials the death toll following a 7.6 magnitude that hit western Japan has climbed to 55. Officials warned Tuesday that the area might experience more aftershocks following the deadly quake.
A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan have left at least 55 people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned Tuesday that more quakes could lie ahead.
Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after a magnitude 7.6 temblor slammed the area.
Damage was so great that it could not immediately be assessed. Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed.
AP News. 01/02/2024.
This is an Open Thread.
