Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) will make his first public appearance today since suffering a brain hemorrhage last December. According to this report from the Argus Leader, ABC News' Bob Woodruff has been observing Johnson's progress and says he is ready to go:

The only reporter to interview Sen. Tim Johnson about his rehabilitation said Johnson is ready to return to the Senate floor.

"This is the exact time for him," said ABC correspondent Bob Woodruff, who himself suffered a traumatic brain injury in January 2006 in Iraq.

Johnson will return to South Dakota for the first time today since he suffered a brain hemorrhage last December that required a long recovery.

A "Thank You South Dakota" celebration is planned at the convention center.

When Woodruff, 46, first met the senator in April, Johnson couldn't walk well.

"His speech was at times difficult to understand," Woodruff said.

After seeing Johnson on Monday, Woodruff said, "the improvement was stunning."