WASHINGTON -- Joan Johnson, seeking to become the first black woman Republican in Congress, has landed a speaking slot at next week's GOP National Convention in Philadelphia, Republican officials said Wednesday.

Johnson, who jumped into the race for Rep. Rick Lazio's House seat when he challenged Hillary Rodham Clinton for the U.S. Senate, will speak about 10:30 a.m. Monday.

''They've dropped me down in a tornado and I'm still spinning,'' she chuckled on Wednesday. ''This is just extraordinary.''

Johnson is one of only two black Republican women running for the House of Representatives. Her contest in eastern Long Island is expected to be one of the most closely watched congressional races.

The theme of Monday's speakers is ''Opportunity with a purpose: Leave no child behind.'' The featured speakers that day include Laura Bush, wife of GOP presidential nominee George W. Bush, and Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

But Johnson says she won't just focus on education during her time in the spotlight.

''I'll be hitting on that subject,'' she said. She'll also touch on securing Social Security and supporting small businesses as well.

Republican Party spokesman Dan Allen said the only other confirmed speaker from New York so far is U.S. Rep. Vito Fossella, who will speak Tuesday.

The 66-year-old Johnson, who has a master's degree in social work, has worked with the Head Start program and was personnel administrator for the Town of Islip. She has been Islip's town clerk since 1991 and won re-election last year with 68 percent of the vote. Her opponent will be decided in a Democratic primary. Lazio a close ally has already endorsed her.

Johnson even served as master of ceremonies at West Islip High School in May when Lazio announced his Senate candidacy.

Johnson is getting used to the spotlight: she sang the Star Spangled Banner for the opening of the Long Island Ducks baseball team earlier this year in front of more than 6,000 people. She said she'll use the same method at the convention as she did for the national anthem: ''Find a friendly face and focus on it,'' she laughed.

The only black Republican now in the House is Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma; there are 28 black Democrats.

Besides Johnson, the other black Republican woman seeking a House seat is Jennifer Carroll, a retired Naval officer challenging Democratic incumbent Rep. Corrine Brown of Florida.

Two Democrats, county legislator David Bishop and Huntington town board member Steve Israel, are planning to compete for the right to face Johnson in a Sept. 12 primary.