House, Indiana , District #7

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Bio

Former Congressman Andy Jacobs eloquently introduces the story of his successor, Julia Carson: "The only thing some people learn from oppression is hatred and revenge. Others learn compassion and empathy. From the physical pain of material poverty and the mindlessly cruel persecution of nitwit racism, Julia Carson made her choice of hard work, compassion and a pleasing sense of humor."

The result of Julia Carson's choice has been an extraordinary career of public service. Before she made history in 1996 by becoming the first woman and the first African-American Indianapolis has ever sent to Congress, Julia Carson served 18 years in the Indiana General Assembly and then 6 years as Center Township Trustee.

In those offices, she distinguished herself as the rare elected official who demonstrates both compassion and common sense. As a State Representative and Senator, Julia Carson sponsored legislation to encourage in-home health care and ease the collection of child support, while also serving as a no-nonsense fiscal watchdog member of the Senate Finance Committee. While a member of Indiana's citizen legislature, she also found time to work as a human resources executive at Cummins Engine and to operate her own small business.

In 1990, Julia Carson successfully ran for election to the post of Center Township Trustee of Marion County. She did so against the advice of many who feared the political quagmire of a poor relief office that was $20 million in debt. However, Trustee Carson employed an aggressive workfare program and anti-fraud procedures to quickly erase the enormous debt while providing much needed emergency services to the poor of Indianapolis. Julia Carson's fiscal acumen and management skill lead her to being named for the second time as the Indianapolis Star's Woman of the Year. Her budget balancing feat earned bipartisan admiration, including that of Republican County Auditor John Von Arx, who said, "Julia Carson wrestled that monster to the ground."

In 1996, Julia Carson accepted the challenge of wrestling an even more imposing monster: the United States Congress. Once again, she has been equal to the task. As a member of the Committee on  Financial Services and the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, Congresswoman Carson has sponsored legislation directed toward the most pressing needs of our community.

In May 1999, President Clinton signed into law Congresswoman Carson's bill to authorize a  Congressional Gold Medal for Rosa Parks. In 2000, Rep. Carson and Sen. Lugar (R-IN) successfully passed language as part of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act Conference Report which enhanced the identification of children eligible for the  State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

In the 108th Congress, Rep. Carson is the sponsor of the largest Amtrak reauthorization bill, the  National Defense Rail Act, which would provide the rail passenger system with over $40 billion in funds to develop high-speed rail corridors and aid in the development of short distance corridors between larger urban centers.

She is the sponsor of the Veteran's VOTE Act, a bill to ensure that all veterans have the right to vote after completing state or federal prison sentences.

As a member of the Financial Services committee, she is the sponsor of legislation that will  regulate the Debt Consolidation Industry. Congresswoman Carson is passionate about fostering financial literacy for all Americans.  She has hosted numerous forums and town hall meetings addressing financial literacy issues, and has worked with financial leaders including Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan to help increase financial literacy for her constituents.

Congresswoman Carson serves on the Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee of the Financial Services Committee. Rep. Carson is the sponsor and leading advocate of the  Bringing America Home Act.  This comprehensive legislation is designed to end homelessness in the United States by addressing the housing, health, and income needs of people experiencing homelessness and families at risk of homelessness.

She worked to establish the Indiana Mortgage and Foreclosure Hotline, 1-866-772-WAIT (9248), in partnership with Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling, Fannie Mae Indiana Partnership Office and the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Hotline helps Indiana consumers facing foreclosure or just needing advice and counsel on their home mortgages.

As she listens to her constituents' concerns, Congresswoman Carson is able to draw on her own extraordinary life history for insight. As a woman who has spent a lifetime scaling the barriers imposed by poverty as well as by racism and sexism, Congresswoman Carson speaks with unique credibility on these issues and to the young people of Indianapolis who she challenges to follow her lead over these barriers. Julia Carson pledges to continue to help build a safe, caring and responsible community.

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