(h/t Jack and Jill Politics)
The AP reports:
Rep. Julia Carson, the first black and first woman to represent Indianapolis in Congress, died Saturday, a family spokeswoman said. She was 69.
Carson died after a battle with lung cancer, spokeswoman Vanessa Summer said.
Carson’s death came three weeks after she announced she had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and followed years of health troubles. She said days later that she would not run next year for a seventh term representing the district that covers most of Indianapolis.
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UPDATE:
Today, U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) made the following statement on the passing of Rep. Julia Carson:
“Today we honor the extraordinary life of Julia Carson, and Michelle and I offer our thoughts and prayers to her family, friends, and constituents. Congresswoman Carson was a trailblazer and an inspiration as the first African-American and first woman to represent Indianapolis in the Congress. Her principled advocacy for civil rights, women’s rights, children’s health care and economic opportunity made an enormous impact on her district, her state, and her country. She was not only a friend and a colleague, but a kindred spirit in the fight for equality and justice. The support that she generously offered me over these last few years, as well as her dignity, good humor, and faith, will never be forgotten.”
