Julia Carson



Julia May Carson was a Democratic member of the U. S. House of Representatives from 1997 until the time of her death in 2007. She represented the 7th District of Indiana. (map)

Iraq War
Carson voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Bio
Carson was born July 8, 1938 as Julia May Porter, in Louisville, Kentucky. She was educated at both Martin University in Indianapolis and at Indiana University-Purdue. Prior to entering the House, she was an office-bearer in the United Auto Workers, a staff assistant to Representative Andrew Jacobs, Jr., and a member of the Indiana General Assembly for 18 years, and a Center Township Trustee for six years.

Congressional career
In 1996 she became the first woman and the first African-American Indianapolis has ever sent to Congress.

According to her House biography, "As a woman who has spent a lifetime scaling the barriers imposed by poverty as well as by racism and sexism, Congresswoman Carson speaks with unique credibility on these issues and to the young people of Indianapolis who she challenges to follow her lead over these barriers. Julia Carson pledges to continue to help build a safe, caring and responsible community."

Carson authored a bill signed into law in May 1999 authorizing a Congressional Gold Medal for Rosa Parks. In 2000, Rep. Carson and Sen. Lugar (R-IN) successfully passed language as part of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act Conference Report which enhanced the identification of children eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program  (SCHIP)."

Carson was a sponsor of the the Amtrak reauthorization bill (the National Defense Rail Act). She is also concerned with financial literacy, ending homelessness, helping people who are facing mortgage foreclosure, and preserving veterans' rights to vote. 

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Eric Dickerson to face Carson in her November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Carson retained her seat.

Cancer revelation
Carson told The Indianapolis Star on November 25, 2007 that she had terminal lung cancer. Carson was admitted to an Indianapolis hospital September 21 for treatment of a deep leg infection and had taken a leave of Congress since then. Her office said Carson intended to return to Congress by mid-December, but that was before the cancer was discovered, she said. "It had gone into remission years before, but it was back with a terminal vengeance," she said.

Former Democratic Party state chairwoman Ann Delaney said that Carson’s health appeared to have deteriorated over the past year. "Frankly, any of us who had seen her in the last year thought there was something pretty seriously wrong with her," Delaney said. Carson previously said she intended to seek re-election, but did not confirm that during a November 5, 2007 radio interview.

Retirement from Congress
Carson's chief of staff, Leonard Sistek, said on November 26, 2007 that the six-term representative would not run for re-election. He said he was not aware at the time of any plans by Carson to retire early from her term. "She is hopeful that she is going to return to Washington, probably after the first of the year," Sistek said.

Death
Carson family spokeswoman Vanessa Summers said the congresswoman died on December 15, 2007 of lung cancer at her home. She had spent the past several weeks there.

Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-Ind.) had to call a special election to choose a replacement for the last year of Carson's term. The governor's office said arrangements were being made to have Carson's body lie at the rotunda in the Indiana Statehouse.

Money in politics
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Committees and Affiliations

 * Congressional Advisory Board, Humpty Dumpty Institute

Committees

 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Railroads
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommitee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommitee on Housing and Community Opportunity

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Economic Development Public Buildings & Emergency Management
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Railroads
 * Member, Congressional Black Caucus

Contact
DC Office: 1535 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-1407 Phone: 202-225-4011 Fax: 202-225-5633 Email: rep.carson AT mail.house.gov Website

District Office: Julia M. Carson Government Center 300 East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46205 Phone: 317-283-6516 Fax: 317-283-6567

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * "Friend: Carson In Hospice Care," 6 News, November 26, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Torporindy

Veterans in Congress