Flags are flying at half staff in Indiana. Congresswoman Julia Carson died this morning in Indianapolis, just a few weeks after the announcement of her diagonsis of terminal Lung Cancer. She had served in the United States House, representing Urban Indianapolis, IN for 18 years. Prior to that Julia had served as a state senator and a township trustee. She began her political career working in Congressman Andy Jacob's office where he encouraged her to run for office. She was the first woman and the first black representative from the city.
The Indianapolis area NBC affiliate carried a wounderful tribute to Julia Carson and announced they have much of her personal story on their website, WTHR.com. Both Indiana Senators, one Democratic and one Republican praised Julia Carson for her advocacy for the poor, women, children, and her work to support veterans. Go to the Challel 13, WTHR for more about her tribute. The on-air evening news presentation was well done. Look for the story by Channel 13, WTHR online.
My personal contact with Julia Carson came when I worked for an Inner city church. North United Methodist Church sponsored a substantial food pantry and served meals three days a week a noon in Julia's district. Julia Carson helped us get grants for funding this program. She encouraged downtown restrants and other businesses to give us food and materials. We claimed the name BREAD & BOWL from the support the local grocery chains gave us with bakery products. This is only one of the many projects helped in Indianapolis by Julia Carson. This winter she =celebrated the dedication of a new free health clinic housed in a neighboring church, TAB Presbyterian. Senator Evan Bayh summed her life up well, saying she never forgot where she came from and never gave up advocating for the people who electted her from their district. Her light will be missed in Congress.
As for her seat in the United States House of Representatives, Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) will call a special election. Plans are for the Democratic Party and the Republican Party to nominate a candidate from a their respective caucuses and the Libertarian Party plans to nominate their candidate through their State Committee. A minimum of 60 days will be needed to accomplish this, but the election needs to happen within 90 days.
I respond to KOS frequently, but This is my first diary. Please make suggestions to help me improve.