[Promoted by DHinMI]
Via Blue Indiana:
The Indianapolis Star is reporting that Rep. Julia Carson, who spent her long and distinguished career in politics serving those who were most underrepresented, has passed away at the age of 69.
Carson’s death comes just weeks after she announced she was dying of lung cancer and would not seek re-election to a seventh term in 2008.
Two days later, she said she would not seek re-election, saying her time away from Congress would be "a time to weep and a time to laugh," and she added, "a time to heal."
But Carson never healed and never returned to Congress.
"Who knows the future, who knows god’s will," she said in the statement announcing her decision not to run again. "I want very much to return to Washington and continue representing the good people of Indianapolis with my vote. I can only request your prayers that I might gain the strength to continue my service."
More below the fold...
Rumors of Julia Carson's health problems began swirling earlier this year, and it was reported in November that she was unlikely to ever return to Washington. A few weeks later, she revealed that she was battling terminal lung cancer:
In her statement, Carson, 69, disclosed that she had battled cancer before and that it had gone into remission but was back with "a terminal vengeance."
She said she had planned to return to Washington before "the second shoe fell -- heavily."
This led to an outpouring of support for the much-loved Congresswoman, and just a few weeks ago there was a heartwarming candlelight vigil outside of her home in Indianapolis. She had already announced she would not seek another term, but speculation regarding the severity of her health problems were largely downplayed by a respectful media. (The same cannot be said of the right-wing bloggers in the state, who were characteristically ruthless in their dealings with the issue.)
For those of you who aren't familiar with Carson, I would recommend checking out this column by Indianapolis Star reporter Matt Tully. Carson's life was a true American success story, and her rags-to-riches tale has inspired countless throughout the state.
Carson rose from poverty but never forgot what it was like to be poor, never hesitating to stand up for those who were down. And even before she got old, she focused on the area's eldest. I could write a book about the calls I've received over the years from people Carson helped -- senior citizens, single parents, crime victims and more.
But mixed with that compassion has been what Breaux calls the mind of a "political genius." It was on display election after election, as Republicans convinced themselves they could defeat Carson. Time and again, she proved them wrong.
"She knows how to organize and strategize like no other person I've known," Breaux said.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family on this cold, snowy Indiana morning.