The Black Caucus Loses a Pillar of Strength

Congresswoman Julia Carson's (Dem-Indiana) recent death is the second unfortunate loss experienced by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) during this 110th Congress. Congresswoman Juanita Millender McDonald (Dem-California), who also was a victim of cancer, passed earlier this year and has been replaced by Congresswoman Linda Richardson (Dem-California). Among the many unique features of Julia Carson is the fact that she was elected from a predominantly white district. While most of the members of the CBC represent Voting Rights Districts legislated to provide the opportunity for greater minority representation, Carson was one of the few elected by a majority White constituency: Emanuel Cleaver from Kansas, Gwen Moore from Wisconsin and Keith Ellison from Minnesota are the other three.

Julia Carson was a magnificent old-fashioned liberal rugged individualist. After much appreciated long years of service in the Indiana legislature she was elected to a post administering a near-bankrupt welfare program which she revitalized and transformed into a model for local safety net ingenuity. Her performance in Congress won widespread approval back home. She voted against the Iraq war resolution and was a steadfast champion for worker's rights, education and programs for families and children. A quiet and steady workhorse, Julia was not known for flamboyant displays in public. Not the star appeal of glamour image cultivated by consultants, but basic charisma was Julia's great strength. She had a relaxed, self-confident and profound presence. When she spoke she usually offered something vital that no one else had said.

At the right moment the patient and mature Julia could upstage any of the congressional peacocks frantically scrambling for the spotlight. Her brief remarks at the Washington funeral of Rosa Parks were among the most memorable. Earlier she had surprised all of her colleagues by guiding the passage of a law authorizing a Congressional Gold Medal for Rosa Parks. The ceremony in the Capitol where the medal was presented was a prelude to another triumph inspired by Julia. The body of Rosa Parks was placed in the rotunda of the Capitol, an arrangement so deftly and swiftly implemented by Julia that the ever present confederate lobby had no chance to concoct any means to deny the unprecedented honor for a seamstress who became the most inspiring heroine of the Civil Rights Movement. Julia Carson was a clearly focused workhorse with a mind constantly in motion. She cannot be replaced. But to continue its effectiveness the CBC must encourage other members to strive to fill the footprints of Julia Carson.

Comments

[BlueLogic]

I would like to salute Rep. Carson, as a woman, a trailblazer, a legislator, as an African-American. She was truly irrepressible and will be terribly missed. I can only hope a Democrat of equal stature will carry on in that seat in the future.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

As a Hoosier I was saddened to hear of the passing of Rep. Carson. She was a force to be reconed with in her days in the Statehouse. She was not only an advocate for the African-American community, she was an advacate for all Hoosires who live in or near poverty, THAT is why she was so successful in Indianapolis, a predominately poverty-stricken area. She will be as sorely missed here at home as she will be in D.C.

As you wrote, "After much appreciated long years of service in the Indiana legislature she was elected to a post administering a near-bankrupt welfare program which she revitalized and transformed into a model for local safety net ingenuity.­" Please note that Gov. Daniels (former head of G.W. Bush's OMB) has done what any Republican worth their weight in Corporate Campaign Contributions would have done, he privatized the states Welfare Program & out-sourced the jobs to ... TEXAS! I can't wait for the '08 general election.

[tecumseh80]

Rep. Owens:

It was a struggle to keep getting Julia Carson elected - the Indianapolis Star finds any reason to endorse a Republican and let us simply say that a lot of citizens of her district are not most open minded of folks.

I knew Representative Carson only marginally, but I was a fan. She did much for the city, especially in community development programs seeking to reestablish the strength of the Near-Northside of Indianapolis. A great tribute is found driving south along Capital Avenue in Indy - for several blocks every house has a I Love Julia sign in the yard. She shall be missed by a great many here in Indianapolis.