Johnson returns to Senate after recovering from brain surgery

BY: Chester, Scott, and Joel

Visibily struggling through the words of a speech, a still recovering Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S. Dak.) stood tall as he announced his return to the Senate nine months after an emergency brain surgery left him unable to walk or talk.

"My speech is not 100 percent, but doctors say it will get there, but my thoughts are clear," Johnson said during the Sept. 5 session.

Sen. John Thune (R-S. Dak.) introduced a resolution reinstating Johnson.

"It's good to see you back in the U.S. Senate," Thune said. He acknowledged that though the men come from different political backgrounds, they've worked together on many projects, such as highway bills and water projects.

"By his sheer will and determination, Johnson is back," Thune said.

Johnson suffered a brain hemorrhage Dec. 13, 2006, a few days shy of his 60th birthday. He received an emergency surgery the next day.

Johnson was first elected to the senate in 1996.