Julia was one of a kind. She will be missed not only by our household, but the entire city. May God be merciful.

The Indianapolis Star has an article on the story now. A clip from it...

Congresswoman Julia Carson died this morning 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.”

Carson was first elected to Congress in 1996.

Previously, she served in the Indiana House of Representatives for two terms before being elected to the Indiana Senate, where she served until 1990. Carson then filled the post of Center Township trustee until she was elected in 1996.

A steadfast Democrat, Carson opposed President Bush’s request for authority to wage war in 2002. In 1999, she won enactment of a measure that awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights figure Rosa Parks.

In 1991 and 1974, she was named by The Star as Woman of the Year.

Carson’s death comes after she took a medical leave from Congress in September after complaining of leg pain and fatigue.

In her last public interview broadcast on Nov. 5 on the WTCL-AM program, “Afternoons with Amos,” Carson expressed frustration over her health problems. “I’m breathing and I feel fine,” she said. Her voice did sound shaky, though, and she had coughing spells during the interview.

“I’ve got bronchitis real bad now and I hope to get over it,” she said, “but you don’t ever know.”

Now is the time to weep.

Words can not explain how sad I am at our great loss this day. Indianapolis, and indeed the nation, has lost a constant champion for civil rights and a diligent voice for peace. I pray God grants her His eternal peace and love and will send us someone strong enough to fill the enormous shoes she leaves behind. Thank you Julia, we will miss you and remember you always.