By Krystal, Tiffany, Marlene and Jose
Setting political differences aside, Republican and Democratic lawmakers celebrated Wednesday the return of Sen. Tim Johnson, D-SD, to the Senate from a nine-month recovery from a brain hemorrhage.
“Though Sen. Johnson and I come from different political backgrounds, we’ve worked together,” said fellow South Dakotan senator John Thune, R-SD. “Sen. Johnson’s return today marked an incredible journey.”
Senators offered a round of kind remarks and passed a celebratory resolution without objection.
The life-threatening brain hemorrhage sidelined Johnson in December 2006 with an intensive surgery procedure and a slow recovery process. Johnson, who is still wheelchair-bound and whose speech is noticeably blurred, is still receiving therapy to undo the damage done by the stroke.
Thune said Johnson’s recovery is possible because of his tremendous strength and persistence, and thanks to “the grace of God” and the prayers of his wife, Barbara, and others.
“I happen to believe that it was those prayers from across South Dakota, across the U.S. and all over the world that returned him to health,” Thune said.
Sen. Johnson’s return is politically significant, since Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority in the 100-seat Senate.
“Though Sen. Johnson and I come from different political backgrounds, we’ve worked together,” said fellow South Dakotan senator John Thune, R-SD. “Sen. Johnson’s return today marked an incredible journey.”
Senators offered a round of kind remarks and passed a celebratory resolution without objection.
The life-threatening brain hemorrhage sidelined Johnson in December 2006 with an intensive surgery procedure and a slow recovery process. Johnson, who is still wheelchair-bound and whose speech is noticeably blurred, is still receiving therapy to undo the damage done by the stroke.
Thune said Johnson’s recovery is possible because of his tremendous strength and persistence, and thanks to “the grace of God” and the prayers of his wife, Barbara, and others.
“I happen to believe that it was those prayers from across South Dakota, across the U.S. and all over the world that returned him to health,” Thune said.
Sen. Johnson’s return is politically significant, since Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority in the 100-seat Senate.
