On a bright morning this week business continued as usual at the Forest Manor Community Health Center on the city’s Eastside.
A steady turnout of residents visited the facility to utilize the kind of family health services that Congresswoman Julia Carson has advocated as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In the midst of having their own ailments treated, some individuals expressed concern about the health of Carson, who announced Sunday that she has terminal lung cancer and will not run for another term in the House.
“I hope she gets better,” said Stephanie Sheridan. “Julia Carson is the best, and we need more leaders like her because she’s been an excellent role model.”
James Williams expressed fond memories of Carson engaging workers with her trademark warmth and down-home wit when she visited a Coca-Cola factory on the city’s Westside.
“I remember everybody being uplifted by her visit and feeling better than they did before she came,” said Williams, who recently retired from Coca-Cola. “She’s done a good job for this community.”
Resident Marie Davis agreed, adding that she was sorry to hear of Carson’s sickness.
“The only reason she would need to retire is because of her health. Otherwise, if God miraculously healed her I would love to see her continue,” said Davis.
In a statement released through her office on Monday, Carson noted that she will not run for a seventh term next year in order to look after her health. Carson, who has been on leave from Congress since September while recovering from a leg infection, is not sure whether she would be able to return to finish her term.
“Who knows the future, who knows God’s will? I want very much to return to Washington and continue representing the good people of Indianapolis with my vote,” Carson said. “I can only request your prayers that I might gain the strength to continue my service.”
Friends and supporters will gladly provide that support; a prayer vigil being organized by Light of the World Christian Church will be held this Friday in front of Carson’s home.
Rev. Jonathan Bailey of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Carson’s home congregation, is also encouraging people to pray for the congresswoman, who said the advanced lung cancer was discovered while she was receiving treatment for the infection.
“Please pray for Julia and her family,” Bailey has asked.
The news of Carson’s decision sent shockwaves through Congress, where many members have been looking forward to enjoying her presence again.
“Julia Carson will long be remembered as a bipartisan leader who fought for social and economic justice on behalf of those too often left behind in society,” said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “She never forgot the struggles of working families.”
Depending on her condition, it is possible that Carson will resign before her term ends, which will put an immediate end to almost four decades of public service that began in the Indiana Legislature in the 1970s, where she sponsored legislation for improved housing, penal and welfare reform and elimination of race and gender discrimination.
In 1990 she ran for Center Township Trustee despite advice to avoid a political office saddled with debt and a reputation for inefficiency. Carson earned respect across party lines for eliminating the township’s debt while still providing critical services.
In 1996 she was elected as the first African-American and first woman to represent Indianapolis in Congress. She is only the second Black member of Congress from the state (after Rep. Katie Hall, a Gary Democrat who served from 1983 to 1985.)
As a congresswoman, Carson has been praised for her efforts to assist families in poverty, bring jobs to the district, help the abused and bring overdue recognition to veterans, but she will also be remembered for her positive personality traits.
“She spoke her mind so you never had to figure out where Julia stood on the issues,” said Bishop J. Laverne Tyson, pastor of New Beginnings Ministries. “She also had a common touch. She could hob-knob with presidents and kings, but fellowship with regular folks on the street. She treated everyone the same.”
Carson has also been praised as a positive campaigner who refused to make negative statements about her opponents, even when they attacked her. Andre Carson, a City-County Council member and the congresswoman’s grandson, once noted that she believed strongly in the saying “if you throw mud, you’ll lose ground.”
Even Republicans who have disagreed with Carson politically have been charmed by her personally and recognize her integrity. This week one of them, Gov. Mitch Daniels, sent a letter of support to Carson’s home via former Rep. Andy Jacobs, her predecessor.
“I am profoundly sad,” Daniels told reporters. “Personally, she has been a friend, a good-humored colleague, but very, very kind always. While we have Julia let’s treasure her and envelop her in love and affection and let’s learn the lessons from her life that all of us would do well to imitate.”
Prayer vigil for Carson
The community is invited to a special prayer vigil, which will take place Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in front of Carson’s home at 25th and North Park Avenue. Organizers with Light of the World Christian Church are asking participants to bring candles.
