Johnson To Attend Public Event In Sioux Falls

2007-08-17

Source: Yankton Press & Dakotan

South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson will face his constituents for the first time since suffering a brain hemorrhage last December, making a long-awaited public appearance in his home state later this month.

Johnson, a Democrat, will appear in Sioux Falls on Aug. 28, his office announced Thursday. He is expected to return to the Senate in September.

A release from Johnson's office said the event will be "a welcome home celebration in which Sen. Johnson will personally thank the people of South Dakota for their support."

The senator has been recovering at hospitals and in his Fairfax, Va. home since he suffered the hemorrhage. He has been undergoing speech therapy and is expected to use a scooter to get around in the Capitol.

The public has only had glimpses of the senator in posed pictures released by his office.

In a written statement released by his office earlier this month, Johnson said his doctors had cleared him for travel.

"I know my return has taken longer than some people have liked -- count me among them," he said in the statement.

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