If a friend can be defined as someone who can relate to your experiences and has your best interest at heart, then Congresswoman Julia Carson certainly fit that definition for many of her constituents.
While most members of Congress are lucky to receive due respect as federal officers, Carson earned something more: Love and adoration from generations of citizens who knew her simply as “Julia” and felt confident that she always had the compassion and courage to speak up for their needs.
“Julia accomplished a lot of great things for this district,” said Mary Jo Ballard, a local educator. “She will be greatly missed because a lot of people loved her.”
“I really admired and respected her,” said Leslie House, a student at IUPUI. “She was a straight-shooter who told the truth. More than anything I’m going to remember how kind she was.”
These citizens joined family, friends and colleagues in celebrating the life of Carson, who died early Saturday at her home at age 69, just a few weeks after announcing she had advanced terminal lung cancer and would not seek re-election next year.
According to a statement released by her office, the congresswoman passed away “peacefully in her sleep” in the loving embrace of family and friends.
Carson’s death comes as a huge loss to a community that had come to know and receive her well during 35 years of public service.
“She’s created a legacy,” said state Rep. Bill Crawford, D-Indianapolis, who once served with Carson in the state Legislature. “We cannot replace Julia, but we can do our best to maintain the values and commitment she made to the people. She’s safely in the Lord’s hands now.”
As a member of Congress, Carson will be remembered for numerous accomplishments, most notably efforts to assist families in poverty, bring jobs and millions of dollars of federal funding to the district, extend health care to more children and bring overdue recognition to veterans.
She was also well known for what was perhaps her greatest personal and political asset — her personality. Throughout her service career Carson charmed supporters and disarmed political opponents with colorful humor, entertaining personal stories and warmth that radiated genuine concern about an individual’s particular situation.
As questions arose about her health and ability to serve during her successful bid for a sixth term last year, Carson casually walked the route in the Circle City Classic Parade.
“I did that for the fun of it,” she told the Recorder with her characteristic straight-talk. “But if that doesn’t convince people I’m still fit to be in Congress I don’t know what will.”
Gov. Mitch Daniels called Carson a “true original” who was honest and brave.
“She was such fun,” said Daniels, who set into motion the procedure that would enable Carson to lie in state at the Statehouse Rotunda, a rare honor. “It was rare to leave her presence without a smile. And after the sadness fades a bit, we’ll still have that. I know I’ll think of her often, and always with a smile.”
She also earned admiration for the fact that she always remembered her roots and never forgot her early childhood in poverty, when as a child she would have to sometimes request aid from the trustee’s office when her mother was ill. Such experiences shaped the compassion she had for those in need later in life when she became Center Township Trustee.
Regardless of how much success she obtained or how high she climbed the political ladder Carson continued to view herself as a normal citizen, wanting to share the best with her constituents. Her desire to support legislation that would extend quality health care coverage to all citizens served as just one example of that commitment.
“I had heart surgery shortly after going into Congress, and was treated by the best doctors in the world because I was a congresswoman,” Carson said in the same Recorder interview. “I want all people to be treated like their member of Congress and get the best medical care.”
