[JPRT, 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



 
                       Juanita Millender-McDonald

                       LATE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM

                               CALIFORNIA

                                   a

                           MEMORIAL ADDRESSES

                           AND OTHER TRIBUTES

                    hon. juanita millender-mcdonald



                               1938-2007




             [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] 

Juanita Millender-McDonald


                                           
                               Memorial Addresses and

                                   Other Tributes

                        HELD IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                     AND SENATE

                                OF THE UNITED STATES

                           TOGETHER WITH MEMORIAL SERVICES

                                     IN HONOR OF

                                       JUANITA

                                 MILLENDER-McDONALD

                 Late a Representative from California

                       One Hundred Tenth Congress

                             First Session


                            Compiled under the direction

                                       of the

                             Joint Committee on Printing


                                      CONTENTS
             Biography.............................................
                                                                      v
             Proceedings in the House of Representatives:
                Tributes by Representatives:
                    Baca, Joe, of California.......................
                                                                     21
                    Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., of Georgia............
                                                                     27
                    Bonner, Jo, of Alabama.........................
                                                                     75
                    Bordallo, Madeleine Z., of Guam................
                                                                     43
                    Butterfield, G.K., of North Carolina...........
                                                                     22
                    Calvert, Ken, of California....................
                                                                 10, 32
                    Capito, Shelley Moore, of West Virginia........
                                                                     45
                    Capps, Lois, of California.....................
                                                                     13
                    Christensen, Donna M., of Virgin Islands.......
                                                                     44
                    Clarke, Yvette D., of New York.................
                                                                     59
                    Cleaver, Emanuel, of Missouri..................
                                                                 46, 57
                    Conyers, John, Jr., of Michigan................
                                                                 49, 74
                    Cummings, Elijah E., of Maryland...............
                                                                     70
                    Davis, Artur, of Alabama.......................
                                                                     62
                    Davis, Danny K., of Illinois...................
                                                                     39
                    Davis, Susan A., of California.................
                                                                     35
                    Doolittle, John T., of California..............
                                                                     12
                    Dreier, David, of California...................
                                                                      5
                    Ehlers, Vernon J., of Michigan.................
                                                                     16
                    Ellison, Keith, of Minnesota...................
                                                                     40
                    Faleomavaega, Eni F.H., of American Samoa......
                                                                     18
                    Green, Al, of Texas............................
                                                                     62
                    Harman, Jane, of California....................
                                                                     33
                    Hastings, Alcee L., of Florida.................
                                                                     56
                    Hoyer, Steny H., of Maryland...................
                                                                     58
                    Jackson, Jesse L., Jr., of Illinois............
                                                                     64
                    Jackson-Lee, Sheila, of Texas..................
                                                                     20
                    Jefferson, William J., of Louisiana............
                                                                     68
                    Johnson, Eddie Bernice, of Texas...............
                                                                     25
                    Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, of Ohio................
                                                                     29
                    Kaptur, Marcy, of Ohio.........................
                                                                     32
                    Kilpatrick, Carolyn C., of Michigan............
                                                                      7
                    Langevin, James R., of Rhode Island............
                                                                     52
                    Lantos, Tom, of California.....................
                                                                     46
                    Lee, Barbara, of California....................
                                                                      9
                    Lewis, John, of Georgia........................
                                                                     66
                    Lofgren, Zoe, of California....................
                                                                     11
                    Lowey, Nita M., of New York....................
                                                                     57
                    Lungren, Daniel E., of California..............
                                                                      8
                    Maloney, Carolyn B., of New York...............
                                                                     34
                    Matsui, Doris O., of California................
                                                                     48
                    McCollum, Betty, of Minnesota..................
                                                                     54
                    Meeks, Gregory W., of New York.................
                                                                     67
                    Miller, Candice S., of Michigan................
                                                                     47
                    Miller, Gary G., of California.................
                                                                     55
                    Myrick, Sue Wilkins, of North Carolina.........
                                                                     36
                    Oberstar, James L., of Minnesota...............
                                                                     17
                    Payne, Donald M., of New Jersey................
                                                                     40
                    Pelosi, Nancy, of California...................
                                                                      4
                    Rahall, Nick J., II, of West Virginia..........
                                                                     68
                    Rangel, Charles B., of New York................
                                                                     50
                    Rohrabacher, Dana, of California...............
                                                                     29
                    Roybal-Allard, Lucille, of California..........
                                                                     53
                    Rush, Bobby L., of Illinois....................
                                                                     56
                    Sanchez, Linda T., of California...............
                                                                     23
                    Sanchez, Loretta, of California................
                                                                     24
                    Schiff, Adam B., of California.................
                                                                     43
                    Scott, David, of Georgia.......................
                                                                     27
                    Scott, Robert C. ``Bobby,'' of Virginia........
                                                                     34
                    Sherman, Brad, of California...................
                                                                     41
                    Shuler, Heath, of North Carolina...............
                                                                     51
                    Solis, Hilda L., of California.................
                                                                     31
                    Stark, Fortney Pete, of California.............
                                                                      3
                    Waters, Maxine, of California..................
                                                                 33, 60
                    Watson, Diane E., of California................
                                                                  3, 37
                    Watt, Melvin L., of North Carolina.............
                                                                     28
                    Woolsey, Lynn C., of California................
                                                                     42
             Proceedings in the Senate:
                Tributes by Senators:
                    Bingaman, Jeff, of New Mexico..................
                                                                     78
                    Boxer, Barbara, of California..................
                                                                     78
             Memorial Services.....................................
                                                                     81
                                      BIOGRAPHY

               A recent Washington Times article reported a University 
             of California study citing Congresswoman Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald as one of the five most effective 
             Members of Congress given her ability to reach across the 
             aisle to effectively move bipartisan legislation. As the 
             first African American woman in history to hold the 
             distinguished positions of ranking member and chairperson 
             on the powerful Committee on House Administration, she 
             oversaw the operation of the House of Representatives; the 
             Library of Congress; the Smithsonian Institute; the 
             National Zoo; and all Federal elections.
               This position extended the many firsts the Congresswoman 
             had amassed since arriving on the political stage. She was 
             the first African American woman to serve on the Carson 
             City Council; the first to hold the position of chairwoman 
             for two powerful California State Assembly committees 
             (Insurance, and Revenue and Taxation) in her first term. 
             She was the first African American woman to give the 
             national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly 
             radio address, and the first to be named honorary curator 
             of the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach.
               Additionally, Millender-McDonald was the first 
             Democratic chairperson of the Congressional Caucus for 
             Women's Issues to lead the women on two groundbreaking 
             meetings, the first with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan 
             to talk about the plight of women globally, and the other 
             with the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange to 
             develop strategies for increasing women's investments and 
             net worth.
               She convened the first meeting between women Members of 
             Congress and Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor 
             and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the only women to serve on the 
             High Court, to discuss issues of national importance to 
             women. She also led a delegation of 27 women to meet with 
             First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, taking the Families 
             First Agenda to 35 States across the Nation, another 
             first.
               In recognition of women who served our country in 
             uniform during wartime, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald 
             initiated the first annual Memorial Day Tribute to Women 
             in the Military at the Women's Memorial at Arlington 
             National Cemetery, and she led the fight to secure $15 
             million for the maintenance of the memorial. She also 
             secured $50 million for counseling services for our 
             returning men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
               In 1997, a Glamour magazine survey identified 
             Congresswoman Millender-McDonald as ``one of eleven women 
             who will change the world.'' Bold initiatives have been 
             her trademark--from the historic move in bringing CIA 
             Director John Deutch to Watts to address allegations of 
             covert involvement in drug trafficking in South Central 
             Los Angeles; to a ``sit-in'' at former Senator Jesse 
             Helms' office which forced the confirmation of former 
             Senator Carol Mosley Braun as Ambassador to New Zealand 
             and Fiji Island.
               In her role as ranking member of the Committee on House 
             Administration, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald 
             investigated widespread voting irregularities and voter 
             disenfranchisement and called for a hearing in Ohio, the 
             first election reform field hearing in congressional 
             history. Additionally, she spoke out against genocide in 
             Cambodia, Darfur and other regions of the world where 
             human rights were in danger or ignored, and worked with 
             former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and 
             Ambassador John Miller on human trafficking and women's 
             rights issues globally.
               Her stellar performance on transportation issues 
             resulted in her becoming one of the most respected voices 
             on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 
             where she secured billions of dollars for her region and 
             California. In 2005, she played a key role in the crafting 
             and ultimate House passage of the 6-year Transportation 
             Reauthorization Act (TEA-LU), the largest public works 
             legislation in our Nation's history.
               Her list of landmark legislation includes:

 the Projects of National and Regional Significance--a $1.8 billion 
program to address national transportation arteries congestion and 
mitigation;

 the historic Alameda Corridor initiative in the 1990s;

 the Mother-to-Child HIV/AIDS Transmission Act--legislation the President 
has established as his $15 billion African AIDS initiative;

 legislation to increase diabetes research in minority and female 
populations;

 the American-Asian Justice Act to allow foreign-born children of former 
and current American servicemen to be united with their American families;

 the Freedmen's Bureau Preservation Act of 2000, which directs the 
National Archives to preserve the records of former African American slaves 
for future generations to trace their family history;

 the Prohibition Against Alcohol Trafficking Act (PAAT Act) to end the 
sale of alcohol to minors via the internet.

 legislation that directs the Secretary of Education to study and report 
to Congress of the troubling dropout rate among Latino, Native American, 
American Samoan, and African American high school students;

 legislation to secure $2 million to reduce the backlog of equal 
employment opportunity complaints, including sexual harassment allegations 
of female air traffic controllers;

 the Anti-terrorism/Port Security Act of 2003;

 the Terrorist Threat to Public Transportation Assessment Act of 2001;

 the Child Safety Lock on Firearms Act;

 the Date Rape and Violence Act; and

 Sexual Trafficking.

               When the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
             imposed mandatory flood insurance premiums on the elderly 
             and low-income residents throughout the South Bay and 
             South Central regions, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald 
             went to work securing $50 million in Federal funding to 
             alleviate those costs to residents and businesses in the 
             37th District.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald also secured $2 million 
             in Federal funding for the first Urban Telemedicine 
             Project in the Nation for public housing tenants that 
             focus on eye disease detection, prevention and treatment; 
             initiated the first outreach to Africans in the diaspora 
             during the 2000 census campaign; coordinated the first 
             ``Women Across America'' Count 2000 and facilitated the 
             rollout of California Count 2000; initiated the first re-
             enactment of the 19th Amendment on the floor of the 
             California State Legislature during the 75th anniversary 
             of women's suffrage.
               Hailed by national leaders for her creative leadership, 
             she passed a resolution proclaiming a national ``Dr. 
             Dorothy Height Day'' and received over 100 proclamations 
             from mayors across the country paying special tribute to 
             this pre-eminent social and civil rights leader.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a life member of 
             the National Association for the Advancement of Colored 
             People and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She served on the 
             Harbor College Foundation, the Southern Christian 
             Leadership Conference Board of Directors, and the board of 
             trustees of Second Baptist Church, Los Angeles. She was 
             founder and executive director of the League of African 
             American Women, an organization of 40 African American 
             women's groups, and the founder of the Young Advocates, a 
             political leadership-training program for African 
             Americans between the ages of 18 and 35.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald earned a bachelor of 
             science degree in business administration from the 
             University of Redlands, a master's degree in educational 
             administration from California State University, Los 
             Angeles, and teaching and administration credentials from 
             the California State University system. She was married to 
             James McDonald, Jr., and they were the proud parents and 
             grandparents of five adult children and five 
             grandchildren.



                                 MEMORIAL ADDRESSES

                                         AND

                                   OTHER TRIBUTES

                                         FOR

                             JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD
                                 Proceedings in the
                              House of Representatives
                                                 Monday, April 23, 2007
               Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I 
             rise to announce the death of our friend and colleague, 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald of California. She died, we are 
             informed, peacefully at home with her family after a 
             battle with cancer.
               Juanita holds a special place in history. She is the 
             first African American woman to chair a full committee in 
             the U.S. House. She also worked tirelessly against 
             genocide and human trafficking, and for women's rights. 
             Prior to coming to Congress, she exemplified a leadership 
             role as a teacher, city council member, and California 
             State Assemblywoman.
               She was only 68 years young, a vibrant Member of 
             Congress, and a good friend. Our sympathy goes to her 
             husband James, five adult children, and five 
             grandchildren.
               Madam Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence to honor 
             her at this time.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I offer a privileged 
             resolution (H. Res. 328) and ask for its immediate 
             consideration.
               The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
                                     H. Res. 328
               Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow 
             of the death of the Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, 
             a Representative from the State of California.
               Resolved, That a committee of such Members of the House 
             as the Speaker may designate, together with such Members 
             of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the 
             funeral.
               Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House be 
             authorized and directed to take such steps as may be 
             necessary for carrying out the provisions of these 
             resolutions and that the necessary expenses in connection 
             therewith be paid out of applicable accounts of the House.
               Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions 
             to the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of 
             the deceased.
               Resolved, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn 
             as a further mark of respect to the memory of the 
             deceased.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from California 
             is recognized for 1 hour.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 minutes to the 
             gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), pending which I 
             yield myself such time as I may consume.
               Madam Speaker, I now yield 1 minute to our most 
             distinguished Speaker, Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

               Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank our dear friend, 
             Congresswoman Watson, for bringing us together around this 
             very sad and necessary resolution today.
               On behalf of all Members of Congress, I rise to pay 
             tribute to Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, who has 
             just passed away. I offer deepest sympathy to her family, 
             who loved her so dearly, her husband James McDonald, Jr., 
             her five children and her five grandchildren.
               As the first African American to chair a committee in 
             Congress, Juanita Millender-McDonald was a trailblazer, 
             always advocating for the full participation of all 
             Americans in the success and prosperity of our country. 
             She was a strong defender of the right of every eligible 
             voter to have full access to the polls and a tireless 
             proponent of fair elections that ensured that every vote 
             would be counted.
               As chair of the House Administration Committee, 
             Chairwoman Millender-McDonald's deep commitment to 
             diversity was manifested in her actions when hiring and 
             contracting within the House of Representatives. She 
             enjoyed her role as the ``mayor of Capitol Hill,'' and was 
             known for asking tourists in elevators, ``Are you finding 
             everything OK,'' and listening closely to their response.
               After her family, the people of California's 37th 
             District were always first and foremost in Chairwoman 
             Millender-McDonald's mind and her work here in Congress. 
             She saw it as a priority to make sure they had every 
             opportunity. She worked to strengthen the economy and jobs 
             there, and she saw it as a priority to secure the two 
             ports adjacent to her district.
               Chairwoman Millender-McDonald was an advocate for 
             justice around the world. She spoke out forcefully against 
             the genocide in Darfur and was a powerful advocate for the 
             rights of women everywhere. As a former cochairwoman of 
             the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, she worked 
             for gender equity here at home and throughout the world.
               The loss of Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald is a 
             personal one for many of us here. She was always 
             optimistic and determined to make a difference. The 
             dignity with which she faced her illness was an indication 
             of the determination with which she always served the 
             people of our country.
               We have all lost an effective leader and spokesperson, 
             and many of us have lost a dear friend. When we look 
             around this Chamber, it is almost impossible to imagine it 
             without Juanita here fighting the fight, and doing so 
             looking magnificent. The dignity, the grace, the beauty, 
             the thoughtfulness that she brought to the tasks at hand 
             were a model for others. Young people would come to the 
             Capitol and observe her in action and learn from her.
               We also learned from her how to have dignity at the end 
             of life. Many of us knew that she had had bouts with 
             illness, but we really didn't know how serious it was. As 
             her daughter Valerie said to me last night, ``She said I 
             want to make all of these arrangements so that I can go 
             home.''
               I hope it is a comfort to Chairwoman Juanita Millender-
             McDonald's family and friends that so many people mourn 
             their loss and are praying for them at this sad time. Many 
             of us will travel to California to say goodbye to Juanita, 
             if I may speak to her in that familiar way. It has been an 
             honor to call her colleague, I know we all agree on that, 
             and for many of us it was a privilege also to call her 
             friend.
               Goodbye, my friend.

               Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
             may consume.
               Madam Speaker, let me begin by expressing my 
             appreciation to both of my California colleagues, Ms. 
             Watson and Speaker Pelosi, for their very thoughtful 
             words, and, obviously I would, as all of my colleagues I 
             know want to do, associate ourselves with the very 
             thoughtful remarks offered by Speaker Pelosi.
               Madam Speaker, this is a very sad time for me 
             personally, for a number of reasons. Juanita Millender-
             McDonald was my friend and my neighbor. And she was my 
             neighbor not only in California representing an adjoining 
             congressional district, but my neighbor right here on 
             Capitol Hill. We were next-door neighbors. So, Madam 
             Speaker, I have to say that I had the privilege of 
             spending a great deal of time with Juanita.
               As Speaker Pelosi said in her statement that she 
             released yesterday, Juanita Millender-McDonald truly was a 
             trailblazer. She was an individual who showed amazing 
             commitment throughout her entire life to her beliefs, and 
             I was very happy that she as a Democrat and I as a 
             Republican were able to work together and find areas of 
             agreement.
               I have to say one of the biggest challenges that we face 
             in Southern California, and I know my California colleague 
             Ms. Watson understands this very well, is the area of 
             transportation. The gridlock challenge, as is the case 
             with many metropolitan areas around the country, is 
             particularly bad in the Los Angeles area. Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald served on the Transportation and 
             Infrastructure Committee and worked tirelessly to try and 
             focus on those challenges, the difficulties that we faced.
               There was one particular project that I was pleased to 
             work with Juanita on, and that was something known as the 
             Alameda Corridor Project.
               A huge percentage of all of the goods going to and from 
             the United States, exports and imports, come through the 
             ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Juanita represented 
             large parts of Long Beach, and she understood the 
             importance of international trade. So she was one of those 
             in the vanguard in the quest to deal with construction of 
             the Alameda Corridor, which allowed those goods to move 
             from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the rest 
             of the United States and, similarly, goods exported from 
             America. I am very happy to see the distinguished chair of 
             the Transportation Committee, Mr. Oberstar, nodding in 
             agreement. He knows how important this issue is, and he 
             worked very closely with Juanita Millender-McDonald and 
             all of us who have been involved on that issue. I know she 
             championed it with great enthusiasm.
               I also would like to say she was a very proud alumna of 
             the University of Redlands. She went to the University of 
             Redlands at age 40 and got her degree. One of the reasons 
             I am proud to point that out is that the distinguished 
             former chairman, now ranking member of the Committee on 
             Appropriations, Mr. Lewis, has specifically asked me to 
             raise this issue.
               As I said, we were neighbors. As Speaker Pelosi 
             correctly pointed out, while a number of us knew that 
             Juanita had not been well, very few knew of the 
             seriousness of her illness. I remember standing with my 
             two California colleagues, Ms. Watson and Mrs. Napolitano, 
             just last week, and we talked about making a video that we 
             were going to provide for Juanita because we knew she had 
             not been well.
               So her passing has come as a great shock to every single 
             one of us. She is the first woman to ever chair the 
             Committee on House Administration. She was a trailblazer 
             on so many issues. Her passing is a loss to my State of 
             California, to this institution, and to the entire 
             country.
               Madam Speaker, at this point I am going to ask unanimous 
             consent that my California colleague, Mr. Calvert, be able 
             to manage the time from this point forward, and with that 
             I reserve the balance of my time.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the 
             request of the gentleman from California?
               There was no objection.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I call on the gentlewoman 
             from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick), the chair of the 
             Congressional Black Caucus, for 3 minutes.

               Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman 
             from California for yielding me this time.
               Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. I stand 
             here to pay tribute to my friend, my sister, chairwoman, 
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. I was asked 
             earlier by an interviewer: ``How would she like us to 
             remember her?'' A leader, a fighter, a mother, a 
             grandmother, excellence bar none, first class, no 
             shortcuts.
               To Jim and Valerie and to the rest of the family, to the 
             grandchildren, just know you have her blood and you can do 
             anything. No limits; be the best.
               As chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus, we are 
             honored to have had her with us to teach us and show us 
             the way. Juanita has been special in this body, rising 
             from mayor pro tempore, city councilperson, the first 
             African American woman to chair the House Women's Caucus, 
             and over the last 11 years serving in this body, a special 
             friend to me personally. We many times talked about our 
             families.
               So my sister, Juanita, as you take your rest with the 
             spirit of God, we know you will watch over us and make 
             sure that we do our due. We know the family knows you are 
             with them forever.
               To Jim, it's OK, we're here for you and we always will 
             be.
               So let us continue to rejoice. He makes no mistakes. We 
             now have extra protection in heaven.
               On behalf of the entire body of the CBC, we are both 
             remorseful and reflective on the life and legacy of 
             Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               We are praying with and for her family and dear friends 
             during this season of grief.
               Representative Millender-McDonald should be celebrated 
             for her abounding commitment to service and advocacy. 
             During her seven-term tenure as the eloquent voice of the 
             37th Congressional District, including Long Beach, the 
             industrial suburbs of Carson and Compton and parts of 
             South Central Los Angeles.
               As a former educator and recipient of a myriad of 
             distinctions, including:

 First African American woman to chair a full committee in the U.S. House 
of Representatives;

 First African American woman to serve on the Carson City Council;

 First African American woman to render the national Democratic response 
to President Bush's weekly radio address;

 First to be named honorary curator of the Museum of Latin American Art in 
Long Beach; and

 First Democratic chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues.

               Representative Millender-McDonald made certain to pave 
             the way for her firsts to not be the last for African 
             Americans and Americans across the globe.
               Therefore, the CBC will continue to carry on the work of 
             Congresswoman Millender-McDonald as we change course, 
             confront crises, and continue the legacy.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield 3 
             minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. 
             Lungren).

               Mr. LUNGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on behalf of 
             our departed colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald, with 
             whom I only had the privilege of serving for the last 3 
             years, but who was an office mate, had the office just 
             down the hall from me my first 2 years back here this time 
             around; and then I had the proud honor of serving on the 
             Committee on House Administration with her.
               More than that, she represented a portion of my hometown 
             of Long Beach, and we would often talk about our mutual 
             interests in some of the people and institutions there, 
             particularly my love for Long Beach Memorial Hospital in 
             my hometown.
               In every conversation I had with her, in every dealing I 
             had with her, she was very gracious, very generous of 
             spirit, always upbeat. I was surprised to hear of her 
             illness and surprised to hear of her passing because in 
             every conversation I had with her, she never gave an 
             indication that she was in pain or suffering or in any way 
             challenged by this illness.
               She seemed to radiate a fulfillment in being in this 
             House and the work she did. I know she was very proud of 
             the people she represented, her constituents, and I know 
             she was proud of the communities she represented. And I 
             know she was proud of the firsts she represented, both 
             here in the Congress and in the California Legislature.
               This place is a tough place. We battle oftentimes over 
             ideas and we battle over ideology, and yet the human 
             aspect of this place is forgotten by many who look out or 
             look upon us from the outside, but it is always here. And 
             I always enjoyed every encounter I had with Juanita. She 
             was a pleasure to work with. She was someone who took 
             great pride in our State of California, and I think she 
             will be someone who will be sorely missed in this House.
               It is my pleasure to stand here and say goodbye, 
             Juanita. I enjoyed working with you. You will be missed.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, with pleasure I yield 3 
             minutes to Ms. Barbara Lee from California.

               Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I 
             rise this evening to offer my condolences to the family of 
             our beloved Juanita Millender-McDonald, to her husband, 
             Jim, to her children, to her grandchildren, her sisters, 
             and to her entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with 
             you during this most difficult time.
               I am reminded of the very many moments we shared 
             together and how precious, fun, and engaging they were. I 
             met Juanita over the telephone when I called to 
             congratulate her for, as the underdog, winning the primary 
             for the California Assembly in 1993 where I was then 
             serving.
               Even in that first phone conversation, she conveyed such 
             a strong sense of purpose and focus, yet a deep message of 
             sisterhood and optimism about the future. Of course, 
             Juanita won the general election and came to the 
             California Legislature where she demonstrated her keen 
             intellect and her bipartisan legislative abilities as 
             chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee and as chair 
             of the Assembly Insurance Committee.
               Juanita, her husband, Jim, and her sister participated 
             in a delegation which I organized to five countries in 
             Africa. Her commitment to the continent and to diplomacy 
             was recognized by all.
               Juanita, though, recognized the challenges which I 
             personally faced as the organizer and leader of a 
             delegation, most of whose members had never been to 
             Africa. In the most sensitive and loving manner, she 
             presented me with a beautiful Namibian wallet and passport 
             carrier to shore me up and to help me out, and I carry it 
             to this day. You know it was beautiful and well-made. 
             Juanita had a keen sense of style, if you remember how 
             beautiful and elegant Juanita was always dressed.
               She was a woman of distinction and class which brought 
             her many compliments, but she was also a woman of 
             substance, with a keen intellect, big heart, and a 
             passionate sense of justice.
               She worked on many issues relating to the empowerment of 
             women, HIV/AIDS, orphans, a host of issues which history 
             will record as improving the lives of millions. Her annual 
             AIDS walk was a source of pride and joy as she shared with 
             us the dos and the don'ts on how to put our own together 
             so we could replicate her success in our own communities.
               Juanita was a giving person who shared her wisdom with 
             her friends and colleagues, and I will always remember her 
             actions during the Bill Clinton impeachment era where she 
             organized a group of women to go to the White House and 
             meet with Mrs. Clinton in a show of support. It was 
             moments like these when you knew you were in the presence 
             of a risk-taker and a giant of a woman.
               Juanita was a loving wife and mother and grandmother and 
             sister. Oftentimes she brought her beautiful grandchildren 
             to the House floor to give them a sense of her work and a 
             sense of Congress, and to show them off. I am deeply 
             grateful to Juanita and to her family.
               As the Scriptures say, ``Well done, thy good and 
             faithful servant.''

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
             I may consume.
               Last week, as for many of us, I first heard about 
             Juanita's illness. That is surprising because there is a 
             group of us on both sides of the aisle who fly back and 
             forth to California every week. I know there is a lot of 
             talk about partisanship nowadays, but we have a pretty 
             close group. Many times we sit next to each other on the 
             airplane, and we talk about parents and children and golf 
             or whatever. And Juanita was always a delight to be with, 
             always had a positive attitude, always someone you looked 
             forward to seeing.
               I was deeply saddened to hear of Juanita's sudden 
             passing. I was sitting at home writing a note to her this 
             weekend; and, unfortunately, that note can't be delivered. 
             But I hope she is listening right now as we state our 
             condolences to her family and to her friends.
               It has certainly been an honor for me to have worked 
             with her for the last 11 years that she served in 
             Congress. She was a faithful representative of her 
             district.
               I worked with her specifically on the C-17 factory in 
             Long Beach, CA, where they make the great C-17 aircraft, 
             and she was a champion for that. She worked for the 
             employees that worked at that plant to make sure that the 
             aircraft which is doing a wonderful job for our country 
             continues to be manufactured in Long Beach, CA. As a 
             matter of fact, the last conversation I had with her was 
             about what we can do to keep that going.
               There are no words I can use to convey the sense of loss 
             when a colleague passes. She was a champion, and a 
             champion for California. Our delegation will miss her very 
             much. We will miss her smile.
               I join all of my colleagues in supporting this 
             bereavement resolution and extend my sympathies to her 
             families and friends. Juanita Millender-McDonald was a 
             patriot who faithfully served her country. Her 
             contributions and commitment will not be forgotten.
               Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to give 3 
             minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe 
             Lofgren).

               Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, Juanita Millender-McDonald 
             touched our lives in different ways. I chair the 
             California Democratic delegation, and I can tell you that 
             our delegation is literally heartbroken over the loss of 
             Juanita.
               We meet every Wednesday as a delegation to sort through 
             the issues that face us not just as a Congress but as a 
             State. And although we know Juanita for her leadership in 
             the Nation, those of us in California are very proud of 
             the special things she did for our State.
               There will be an empty spot at our meeting every 
             Wednesday.
               She was a trailblazer, as has been mentioned, a first so 
             often: the first California African American woman to 
             chair two committees in the California Assembly; the 
             chairperson of the House Administration Committee. But 
             when I think of Juanita, I think of someone who had 
             tremendous dignity, tremendous style, tremendous poise. 
             She knew that she was a first, and it was important to her 
             that she accomplish these firsts with an eye to being a 
             role model for young people around the country and, 
             indeed, around the world.
               As chair of the Committee on House Administration, where 
             I also serve, she worked so diligently to make sure that 
             every vote would be counted, that all Americans would be 
             treated fairly and without discrimination, and she was so 
             happy to provide that leadership as chairwoman of the 
             committee. It is so unfair that we have lost her from that 
             position so prematurely.
               Today, we mourn the passing of a great American, but we 
             also celebrate the legacy of public service that she 
             leaves behind. Juanita Millender-McDonald left this 
             Chamber as she entered it, with poise and spirit, fighting 
             for those who could not fight for themselves.
               Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, her five 
             children, her grandchildren, and we mourn her passing, not 
             just today but every day.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my 
             colleague from California (Mr. Doolittle).

               Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I was, like many of my 
             colleagues, shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news 
             about Juanita. Grace Napolitano had just brought by a nice 
             card for Members to sign on Friday, I think it was, and 
             here I realize that she has passed away. I just had no 
             idea.
               It was my privilege to serve with her on the House 
             Administration Committee when she was the ranking member, 
             and Juanita was a passionate advocate for her ideas and 
             her beliefs. Sometimes she and I would argue with each 
             other, but it was never with any personal disagreement. I 
             liked her, I thought highly of her, and would just like to 
             join with my colleagues in acknowledging her fine service 
             here in the House of Representatives, her dedication to 
             California, and her desire to make a difference.
               I always admired her love and devotion to family, and I 
             join with my colleagues in saying that I will miss her, 
             and I am very sorry that this has happened.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 
             minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

               Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague Diane 
             Watson for her leadership in gathering us together, and I 
             rise with my colleagues to extend my condolences, 
             heartfelt, from this body to the family, to the friends, 
             to the constituents of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-
             McDonald.
               This is a somber hour because we are, as my colleague, 
             the dean of our California delegation, mentioned, we are 
             heartsick over this loss, and maybe it is because Juanita 
             was such a striking presence, so dynamic, so poised and 
             articulate. When she entered a room, you knew she was 
             there; and now, today, as we gather so soon after we heard 
             of her death, just yesterday, walking through the doors of 
             the Capitol, I thought it is not the same place now 
             because she is not going to be there, wearing something 
             striking, something beautiful, and with her elegance and 
             grace.
               We will miss her. We will always miss her. She served in 
             this place, as she served her community and her family and 
             her city council and the State legislature, with such 
             distinction, with passion and with dedication for the 
             benefit of her community and with enormous patriotism.
               This talented public servant was a champion for several 
             years, including fighting HIV/AIDS, improving women's 
             health, encouraging women in business, protecting voting 
             rights, stopping the genocide in Darfur. As I mention 
             these issues, I think to myself her charge to us this 
             evening would be to stop the sweet talk about her and get 
             busy and solve these problems. That is the best thing we 
             can do in her memory, in her name.
               She knew where the challenges lay in our country, in the 
             way we go to the polls and the fairness of our elections, 
             the availability of the opportunity to vote for every 
             single American. She was not content. It is not solved yet 
             and we have to do this in her honor.
               The genocide in Darfur, until that is a thing of the 
             past, we cannot rest. We have got to do this now for 
             Juanita.
               HIV and AIDS and all of the other things she cared 
             about, now we have an increased motivation, and that is 
             how we can turn our sorrow into something positive, the 
             way she did with her life.
               We have heard from our colleagues this evening, and we 
             will hear many things, but in particular, I want to speak 
             today as I follow in her footsteps as cochair of the 
             Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. During the 107th 
             Congress, she was cochair of the Caucus for Women's 
             Issues, serving ably with Congresswoman Judy Biggert.
               Under their leadership, the Women's Caucus initiated the 
             first annual Memorial Day tribute to women in the military 
             at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. 
             Now this event, thanks to Juanita, has become an annual 
             tradition and highlights the caucus' strong commitment to 
             supporting our brave women in uniform. I know Juanita will 
             be proud of us as we continue in this tradition.
               As cochair of that caucus, Congresswoman Millender-
             McDonald also convened the first meeting between women 
             Members of Congress and the Supreme Court Justices Sandra 
             Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsberg in order to discuss 
             issues of national importance to women, especially in the 
             judicial area.
               On a personal moment, I will never forget the first time 
             I met with my colleague, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald. 
             It was during a very difficult moment in my life after the 
             passing of my husband Walter. The first thing I knew she 
             was there in my district with every single one of her 
             staff members to help me to succeed him in office. It was 
             a very rainy time, and there they all were, walking 
             precincts in my district, and that was how I met Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald.
               She made a special effort to reach out to me and to my 
             family in ways that were very meaningful to me. She shared 
             with me that her father was a preacher like mine was, so 
             we had that kind of bond as well. And I know it has been 
             mentioned how ferociously she worked on issues like the C-
             17 and the Alameda Corridor, but if you ever flew with her 
             in her service on the Transportation Committee, you knew 
             very well that she wanted that airline to work for, not 
             her, but for all of us Members and all of the passengers, 
             and she made sure whatever flight we were on was going to 
             be on time to the best of her ability.
               These are stories that I am not going to ever forget and 
             I want to be grateful for her kindness to me, and pledge 
             during that very challenging time in my life, she was 
             there for me, and now we reach out to her family members. 
             All of us are going to miss our colleague and our thoughts 
             and prayers are with the family during this difficult 
             time.
               It just appeared, such a wonderful picture of Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald in her local paper, the Los Angeles 
             Sentinel, and ironically, it is dated Thursday, April 22, 
             and that was when she took leave. And who would have known 
             at the paper in her community that just a few days later 
             she would be gone. But I think it would be befitting her 
             to have this entered in the Congressional Record in memory 
             of Juanita.
                   [From the Los Angeles Sentinel, April 19, 2007]
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Will Take Four to 
                     Six Weeks Off To Seek Treatment for Cancer
                               (By Yussuf J. Simmonds)
               Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald is taking a 
             leave of absence until May 25 in order to seek proper care 
             and spend quality time with her family after being 
             diagnosed with cancer.
               It had been rumored for some time that her health was 
             troubling especially since she had been placed on the 
             ``prayer list'' at her local church, Second Baptist Church 
             in Los Angeles. However, she has always been a fighter for 
             the community and now the community stands ready to return 
             her hard work and efforts on its behalf with prayer and 
             best wishes.
               McDonald is currently serving her seventh term in 
             Congress representing the 37th Congressional District, 
             which includes parts of Carson, Compton, Long Beach, Los 
             Angeles and Signal Hill. Presently, she is the chairwoman 
             of the House Administration Committee, the first Black 
             woman to hold that position. As chairwoman, she has 
             investigated the voting irregularities and 
             disenfranchisement in Ohio, which was the first election 
             reform field hearing in Congressional history.
               Glamour Magazine recently dubbed her as ``one of the 
             eleven women who will change the world'' and a recent news 
             report cited her as one of the five most effective members 
             of Congress because of her ability to reach across party 
             lines to effectively move bipartisan legislation.
               Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the vice chair of the 
             Congressional Black Caucus and the representative of the 
             9th Congressional District of California, extended warm 
             greetings to her colleague and offered these words of 
             comfort.
               ``Our prayers are with Congresswoman McDonald and her 
             family. We wish her a speedy recovery and hope that her 
             leadership and courage will soon be back with us in the 
             nation's capital,'' Lee said.
               Councilman Isadore Hall of Compton's Fourth District was 
             touched when he received word of her health concerns.
               ``Right now we are holding her up in deep prayer and 
             hoping for a speedy recovery,'' said Hall. ``Certainly her 
             presence will be missed, but we know she has competent 
             staff who will be able to move swiftly with the agenda she 
             has set for the community.''
               This is not the first time that McDonald has faced 
             health issues. In 2005, she underwent major surgery for an 
             unknown illness. Last year, her son, R. Keith McDonald, 
             requested a furlough from his 41-month prison sentence for 
             political corruption charges in order to see to her 
             condition at the time.
               The judge granted him a six-month release but again, 
             there was no official comment from McDonald on her 
             condition then and there is no comment now if either 
             incident is related to her current situation.
               Dr. William Epps, pastor of Second Baptist Church where 
             McDonald is a parishioner, relayed his thoughtfulness by 
             saying that he stays ``in touch with her weekly'' and that 
             ``I'm keeping her in prayer for strength as she faces her 
             health.''
               She reportedly will maintain a limited schedule 
             particularly in her district and this apparently will be 
             to expedite her recovery process. She has requested 
             respect for her privacy at present and all of her 
             constituents have offered their prayers and best wishes 
             for a speedy recovery.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the 
             gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).

               Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
             yielding.
               I first met Juanita Millender-McDonald in the Committee 
             on Transportation and Infrastructure, which is a wonderful 
             committee, and I am sure the current Chair would agree 
             with that. There is a great diversity of tasks there, and 
             I came to know her at that committee.
               I was amazed at Ms. Millender-McDonald in a number of 
             ways. You just heard the previous speaker talk about her 
             grace and elegance. That was apparent from the moment you 
             saw her and talked to her.
               She and I became rather good friends because it happened 
             that her father was a pastor, and my father was also a 
             pastor. There is a special bond between preachers' kids or 
             PKs as they are called, and we used to jokingly discuss 
             the need to develop a PK caucus in the Congress so that we 
             could address major issues of the times, particularly 
             those with a moral or human content to them.
               Our friendship continued over the years, and I have to 
             confess, I was continually amazed at new things I 
             discovered in Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               First of all, just imagine being born African American 
             in 1938 in Alabama and becoming the first African American 
             woman to chair a committee in the Congress. That is a long 
             and difficult road, and she traversed that road, once 
             again, with elegance and grace.
               After having five children, she went back to school, 
             received a bachelor's degree and then became a teacher. 
             She later went back to school again and obtained a 
             master's degree, showing amazing persistence and drive to 
             do that. She then entered the political arena, became the 
             mayor pro tempore of the city in her district, and then 
             later the State Assembly, and then the Congress.
               So she had considerable drive and interests in serving 
             others, and that stood out from the moment you first met 
             her.
               But I found it interesting, too, on a personal 
             relationship, she was a good friend of mine but a very 
             private person, and I was dismayed recently to find out 
             that she had cancer because she had never discussed this 
             with me and never alluded to it in our discussions. I knew 
             something was wrong, but I did not know what. I wish I had 
             known so I could have offered her more comfort and help.
               We have had our amusing moments as well. One time she 
             insisted in talking far past her limit in our committee 
             when I was chairman, and I gaveled her out of order, which 
             she refused to admit and kept talking. So I gaveled louder 
             and she kept talking, and I gaveled louder yet, until she 
             could no longer speak. She was not pleased with that. But 
             when she became the chairwoman, I called her to 
             congratulate her and I said, ``Now, I fully expect you to 
             gavel me out of order every opportunity you get,'' and 
             that was the type of relationship we had.
               In spite of our differences of party, in spite of 
             occasional differences in perspective and differences in 
             how we should accomplish things in this Congress, we 
             remained good friends throughout. And I think because of 
             that, together, we were able to accomplish a great deal in 
             that committee this past year, and we were continuing to 
             do that this year under her leadership.
               We have lost a good friend. We have lost a good 
             compatriot. We have lost a good Member of Congress. It is 
             not easy to deal with that type of loss, and our comfort 
             is that she is in a better place, that she has served our 
             country well. She has served her people well. I am sure as 
             a teacher she served her students well. I think she has 
             left the Congress a better place because of her having 
             been here and with the example that she set for us.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Mr. 
             Oberstar of Minnesota.

               Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, it was shortly after the 
             election in which Juanita Millender-McDonald was elected 
             to the Congress, that she called on my office. I was the 
             ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure 
             Committee.
               She came to see me about service on our committee. I had 
             learned a little about her background, and I was 
             surprised. I thought she would be more interested in 
             Judiciary or International Relations, but when I asked why 
             she wanted to serve on this nuts and bolts committee, she 
             said, ``Well, I have the Alameda Corridor in my 
             district.'' And if I heard Alameda Corridor from her once, 
             I heard it 50 times. It was incessant; it was a refrain; 
             it was a passionate advocacy. I, of course, did support 
             her candidacy for the committee.
               Then, when the assignments were given out, she came 
             calling again, and said, ``I want to know more about what 
             this committee does. What are all these responsibilities? 
             What does this subcommittee's work mean on public 
             buildings and grounds and economic development?''
               When I laid out the picture that this committee has 
             jurisdiction over 367 million square feet of Federal 
             civilian office space, she was excited. Well, there are 
             things we can do here.
               It was just such a delight to see a new Member enthused 
             about the work of the committee and wanting to understand 
             it.
               Over the years, I have watched, as many of our 
             colleagues have, as have the gentleman from Michigan and 
             the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) who spoke so 
             warmly and touching earlier, Members come in, and they 
             scratch and claw to get a committee assignment. Then they 
             get on a committee, and they scratch and claw to get their 
             subcommittee assignments. Then when you are there 
             presiding or working, for so many years as the ranking 
             member, you turn around, and where are they? You don't see 
             them again. Juanita Millender-McDonald showed up for work, 
             every time.
               What was also touching was when another committee 
             assignment conflicted, she would come in, sit down, be 
             checked in, look at the committee agenda and the 
             information, then she would come over and say would you 
             please hold me excused, I have to go to another committee 
             because something else is happening. You don't see that 
             happening very often, the conscientiousness that she 
             displayed about her service in the Congress. She took it 
             seriously, learned it well.
               When we were crafting the TEA-LU legislation, she wanted 
             to be a part of shaping the minority business enterprise 
             provisions. She was on the floor to advocate for them. Her 
             whole career was one of dedication to service, but she was 
             a person, a mother, a wife, a human being, warm and 
             caring. When she walked into a room and offered that 
             smile, clouds parted, lights went on and Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald was there for us.
               She will always be in my heart, in our hearts.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my 
             colleague from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

               Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I thank the distinguished gentleman 
             from California, my colleague, for extending me time from 
             his part and recognizing the fact that we have so many on 
             this side of the aisle to offer their remarks, especially 
             in honoring Ms. Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               Madam Speaker, like all my colleagues in attendance this 
             evening in this Chamber, we were all surprised and shocked 
             to learn of the untimely death of our distinguished 
             gentlelady from the great State of California, 
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               Some of you may be surprised to know that when I was 
             serving as Lieutenant Governor some 24 years ago, I knew 
             Juanita. She was a dear friend, but she was serving at 
             that time as a member of the city council in the city of 
             Carson, CA. We collaborated often in addressing the 
             economic and social needs of the members of my Samoan 
             community living in the cities of Carson, Compton and even 
             Long Beach. Next thing I learned, Juanita was elected as a 
             member of the California State Assembly, and then finally 
             she was elected as a Member of Congress.
               Juanita was passionate about the needs of the poor and 
             the destitute. I know our Samoan community throughout the 
             Los Angeles area all mourn the loss of this great and 
             gentle lady. She truly was a dear friend to me, and 
             members of the Samoan community are going to feel the loss 
             of her presence. She lived life to the fullest. I know we 
             are here to celebrate her life, although we also mourn her 
             absence from the halls of this great institution.
               On behalf of our Samoan community throughout the Los 
             Angeles area, we convey our deepest sympathies and 
             condolences to Juanita, her husband, and all the members 
             of her family. I recall the Good Book, and it is my 
             sincere hope that they may all be comforted with our 
             Savior's promise, ``Blessed are they who mourn, for they 
             shall be comforted.''
               I may also say in our Samoan culture, when someone 
             passes away, we don't say that the person has died. We 
             just simply say, ``Be well in your voyage.'' And I would 
             like to say this in my language, Juanita, Ia manuia lau 
             faigamalaga. God bless.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
             gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 additional minute 
             to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Texas is 
             recognized for 3 minutes.

               Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished 
             gentlelady from California (Ms. Watson) for her dedicated 
             commitment and Mr. Calvert, two Californians who have come 
             together on this sad but really commemorative time.
               Madam Speaker, I want to lift my voice a little bit, 
             because there are some things that we say in the church 
             about home-going services or memorials. They are, in fact, 
             a celebration of life. I clearly believe that as I have 
             listened to my colleagues, and as I will continue to 
             listen to my colleagues, we really are celebrating Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald's life. We are celebrating our 
             friendship and how we care for her, how she cared for us.
               My first remarks are that our mayor has fallen, the 
             mayor of our city, the city of Congress, the comings and 
             goings of Members and staff, traffic and various 
             personnel, law enforcement. This was her love, as she 
             first started as a ranking member of the House 
             Administration Committee and then had the honor of being 
             appointed by the new Speaker of the House, a woman, to be 
             the chairwoman of the House Administration Committee.
               But I do want to say, before I comment further, that 
             Juanita had a bigger smile when she was around her 
             husband, Jim, her five children and her grandchildren. She 
             sparkled when she brought her grandchildren to the floor 
             of the House and made sure that everybody knew those 
             beautiful and lovely children who, in fact, seemed to have 
             a very strong and proud bond with their grandmother. They 
             were proud of this regal woman who came to the floor of 
             the House as a Member of the U.S. Congress.
               Juanita was a doer, and she used to often speak of her 
             beginnings with a Baptist father, preacher, a close-knit 
             family, and her deep roots in Birmingham, AL, knowing what 
             a segregated South was all about, a segregated America. 
             Though she fought against it, she didn't let it bring her 
             down, discourage her. Off she went to California, and she 
             became a true daughter of California, with all of the 
             attributes that great State allows you to have.
               She did things to make life better. She had a great 
             sense of hope and spirit about her women's march against 
             AIDS, and each year the numbers kept growing up and up and 
             up. She would tell me, coming back, thousands of women 
             marched against HIV/AIDS to find a cure, to stop the 
             devastation in women. We were so proud when, for the first 
             time, she was able to bring us together around women in 
             the military.
               The last time I was there, the curator of that museum 
             said, you know, Juanita started this. We now have become 
             so important because of Juanita.
               Then, of course, she worked with the library and those 
             workers over there. Juanita was someone who believed in 
             getting things done, not for herself, but for others.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald had as her final work, the 
             true integrity and transparency of elections all over 
             America. Truly, we want to thank her, we love her. We love 
             you, Juanita. This is a celebration of your life.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time 
             is remaining on both sides.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California 
             has 12 minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from California 
             has 12\1/2\ minutes remaining.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
             gentleman from California (Mr. Baca).

               Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, yesterday the House of 
             Representatives, the State of California, and the Nation, 
             lost a leader and a good friend of ours, Congresswoman 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald. We certainly will miss her. My 
             wife Barbara and I extend a heartfelt condolence to her 
             family, friends, staff, children, her five grandchildren 
             and to Jim.
               Today we pay tribute to a real trailblazer, a pioneer, 
             the first African American woman to chair a committee, a 
             positive role model, a person who created hope for many 
             individuals, a person who was a well-liked and well-
             respected individual.
               In her role as a public servant, she touched the lives 
             of many individuals. Here in the House, I have heard many 
             individuals talk about how she was a nice person and how 
             she was well liked.
               As chair of House Administration she worked closely with 
             the Congressional TriCaucus, the Congressional Hispanic 
             Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American 
             Caucus in trying to obtain fairness and equality for all 
             of us. She was pleasant to work with. I have had the 
             opportunity to work with Juanita and served with her in 
             the California State Assembly prior to coming to 
             Washington, DC.
               She has always been a strong advocate for the poor, the 
             disadvantaged, and those that were underrepresented. I 
             know that she spent much time going into my district and 
             speaking to a lot of the poor and disadvantaged in San 
             Bernardino, in the Inland Empire, because she cared about 
             the poor, not only in that area, but she cared about equal 
             representation. She wanted to ensure that we had the 
             numbers or bodies of people who represent us here in 
             Congress. She worked for me on my campaign when I first 
             ran out there.
               She worked with me also in a variety of areas, but one 
             of those that has been mentioned tonight has been the 
             Alameda Corridor. She really took it to heart because she 
             knew the Alameda Corridor and what it meant was a lifeline 
             to California, to Southern California, in the area of 
             transportation, not only to the L.A. International 
             Airport, but Ontario International Airport that is also 
             affiliated with that area.
               Juanita knew the infrastructure and the growth and the 
             population in the area, and she put a high priority on 
             transportation. She was a friend and a loyal supporter, 
             and I am grateful.
               As a friend, she will be deeply missed, but she will not 
             be forgotten. She fought for justice, she fought for 
             equality so that people will not experience the prejudice 
             and racism that most of us have experienced throughout our 
             life. She wanted life to be better for others. She is a 
             strong voice for many. Juanita Millender-McDonald will be 
             remembered for her dedication to public service, tireless 
             work on behalf of her constituents, standing for the 
             rights of women and minorities, and, overall, her desire 
             to make our country a better place.
               We love you, Juanita Millender-McDonald.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
             gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

               Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I too rise this evening 
             to honor the life and work of my colleague and friend, 
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, who has passed 
             from labor to reward.
               Juanita was a warm and caring individual. She worked 
             very hard in this body to improve the quality of life for 
             all Americans. As a faithful member of the Congressional 
             Black Caucus she also spoke of the urgency of eradicating 
             poverty and eliminating disparities in education, health 
             care, and wealth. She spoke for those who could not speak 
             for themselves. My constituents, the 660,000 people of the 
             First District of North Carolina, are grateful for the 
             service of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald.
               I join my colleagues this evening in saying to the 
             family of this great woman, you had a wonderful wife, 
             mother, grandmother. Her love of humanity and work on 
             behalf of disadvantaged people everywhere ensures that she 
             is in heaven and free of the suffering she had to endure. 
             May God bless the soul of this great American.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our 
             time.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
             gentlewoman from California, Linda Sanchez.

               Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, it is 
             with sadness that I join my colleagues here on the floor 
             this evening to pay tribute to a colleague who we lost far 
             too soon.
               I was saddened to hear the news yesterday of 
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald's passing. 
             Juanita was really a woman of many firsts, who broke down 
             countless barriers for women and for African Americans.
               While the history books no doubt will list the numerous 
             accomplishments of her long career, I will remember her 
             best as a champion for economic opportunity and 
             empowerment for the people of Long Beach and Los Angeles. 
             I was pleased to have had the opportunity to work with her 
             on many issues important to the communities shared by our 
             adjacent districts. When workers, for example, in our 
             communities who assembled the C-17 aircraft, faced the 
             prospect of their assembly plant shutting down and losing 
             their jobs, Juanita led the fight to make sure that those 
             jobs were not lost. And she succeeded, and hundreds of 
             people's lives are better off today thanks to her hard 
             work.
               When I first joined Congress, Juanita took the time and 
             made a special effort to introduce me to many of the local 
             leaders in the African American communities that straddle 
             our districts. This was very thoughtful of her and I will 
             always be in her debt for it.
               We here in Congress will certainly miss her insight, her 
             experience, and her energy. And I will most certainly miss 
             her beautiful smile and her unforgettable style because 
             she truly is an unforgettable woman.
               I am sure that her constituents will miss her tireless 
             advocacy on their behalf. They and we have lost a fine 
             public servant, and we have lost a tremendously fine 
             colleague. But most of all, my thoughts tonight are with 
             her husband, their children and grandchildren, and their 
             extended family. I wish them all the strength during this 
             difficult time, and I want them to know that Juanita is 
             truly an incredible woman who shall not be forgotten.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 
             minutes to the gentlelady from Santa Ana, CA (Ms. Loretta 
             Sanchez).

               Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I 
             thank my colleague from California.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald was my friend. I used to love 
             coming into the Chamber and sitting down next to her and 
             asking, ``What's up, what's going on?'' because Juanita 
             knew. She knew what was going on in the Congress. She was 
             the mayor of Congress, if you will, being the chairwoman 
             of the House Administration Committee. And Juanita knew 
             what was going on back in California.
               When I first decided to run for Congress and nobody 
             knew, Juanita called me up and said, ``I'm stuck on the 
             freeway, but I'm coming down to walk precincts with you. 
             So let's hope the sun stays up and we get to go and walk 
             together.'' And we did, and that is how I met Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald.
               When I first came to the Congress, as a young woman--
             quite frankly, 12 years ago there weren't a lot of us, and 
             it was always very difficult and hard to be accepted. It 
             is always hard to find your way in the Congress. But 
             Juanita was right there. She was like a touchstone. She 
             was somebody that I could talk to and tell her my 
             frustrations or the happy points here. She really is what 
             I would call a friend, and to many of us here she was a 
             friend. She is a friend back in her district.
               I wish the people of the United States really understood 
             the work that Juanita did. The Alameda Corridor was her 
             dream. It was her project. This was the project to move 
             goods that come to this country from the port across and 
             through Los Angeles and out into the rest of the United 
             States. When you think of the fact that 50 percent of 
             everything that comes into the United States comes through 
             the ports that were right there at Juanita's side, you 
             would understand how important it was to each and every 
             American. You see, if that cargo didn't leave L.A., if you 
             were an auto worker in Tennessee, building a car, and you 
             were waiting for inventory just in time, it wouldn't get 
             there in time if it hadn't been for Juanita. And last year 
             on the very last day of the 109th Congress, we passed the 
             Safe Port Act. That really was Juanita's legislation.
               She will be remembered for a long time in this country 
             and in this Congress. Juanita, and to her family, I love 
             her.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
             gentlelady from Texas, Eddie Bernice Johnson.

               Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I 
             thank my colleague for the time.
               I rise with great sadness to remember my friend, my 
             sorority sister in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and my 
             colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald. And I want to 
             extend my deep condolences to her husband James, her 
             children, friends, and loved ones.
               I was privileged to serve with her on the Transportation 
             and Infrastructure Committee, and her diligent service is 
             evident in many of California's roads, bridges, and 
             highways. I worked with her when she was cochair of the 
             Congressional Women's Caucus. She did it with such charm, 
             grace, poise, and dignity. This body is diminished and 
             dismayed by her sudden absence, but we were inspired and 
             enriched by her presence.
               Her spirit will live on. Her work will be felt by those 
             who don't even know she helped. We celebrate her life. It 
             was a wonderful, wonderful life. And we love her and her 
             family.
               [The prepared remarks of Ms. Johnson follow:]
               Madam Speaker, I rise with great sadness to remember my 
             friend, my sorority sister and my colleague, Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald. I want to extend my deep condolences 
             to her husband, James, her children, friends and loved 
             ones.
               As chairwoman of the Committee on House Administration, 
             Congresswoman Millender-McDonald will be recorded in 
             history as the first African American woman to chair a 
             full committee of the House.
               Those of us privileged to know and work with her will 
             remember her tireless advocacy for justice and her example 
             of meaningful public service.
               Throughout her career, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald 
             was a friend to women's causes and to young people. Her 
             work to end human trafficking and slow the transmission of 
             AIDS has improved countless lives.
               The results of her work--improved lives for women and 
             girls worldwide, expanded voting rights for the 
             disenfranchised, greater assistance for the sick and the 
             poor--are a testament to her character.
               From the beginning, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was 
             a trailblazer:
               She was the first African American woman to serve on the 
             Carson, CA, City Council.
               In her first term in the California State Assembly, she 
             became the first woman to chair two powerful committees.
               She was the first African American woman to give the 
             national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly 
             radio address as well.
               But for all her firsts, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald 
             was also a champion for the least and the last. She fought 
             injustice wherever she found it: Whether in the voting 
             booth, the classroom, the research lab, or the workplace.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald rigorously investigated 
             widespread voting irregularities and disenfranchisement.
               She was a vocal opponent of genocide around the world 
             and a tireless fighter for human rights.
               Her Mother-to-Child HIV/AIDS Transmission Act became the 
             President's $15 billion African AIDS initiative.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald also worked to increase 
             diabetes research in minority and female populations; she 
             pushed the Department of Education to improve the dismal 
             dropout rates among minority high school students and 
             secured millions to reduce the backlog of equal employment 
             opportunity complaints.
               The first-time voters in Ohio can feel more confident 
             their votes will count because of Congresswoman Millender-
             McDonald. The elderly diabetics in her home State of 
             Alabama have a better chance of avoiding amputation 
             because of her. She had a hand in granting diplomas to 
             thousands of Native American students growing up on 
             reservations; and countless girls in Cambodia and Sudan 
             have her to thank for a childhood free from kidnapping and 
             assault. They may never know where to direct their 
             gratitude, but the alleviation of their suffering stands 
             as her lasting legacy.
               Her influence is also inscribed on the physical 
             landscape of California's 37th District. I was privileged 
             to serve with her on the Transportation and Infrastructure 
             Committee and her diligent service is evident in many of 
             California's roads, bridges and highways.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's record of exemplary 
             public service includes life memberships in the NAACP and 
             Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
               She served on the Southern Christian Leadership 
             Conference Board of Directors, and founded the League of 
             African American Women.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald also founded the Young 
             Advocates to train young people for political leadership.
               This body is diminished and dismayed by her sudden 
             absence, but we were inspired and enriched by her 
             presence.
               Her commitment to equal opportunity, civil and human 
             rights will be greatly missed.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
             gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

               Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, this is indeed a 
             solemn occasion, but it is also an occasion to celebrate.
               On each of our obituaries there are three things that 
             are mentioned: the year you were born, the year you died, 
             and then there is the dash. It is what you do with the 
             dash, what you do with your life. And the life that we are 
             here to celebrate, Juanita Millender-McDonald's life, was 
             one of greatness and sacrifice and commitment, serving on 
             the city council, serving in the State legislature of 
             California, and then in the Congress of the United States, 
             traveling around the world wherever the need was, whether 
             it was in Africa, the Middle East, or in the Caribbean.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald fought the good fight, she 
             kept the faith, and there is indeed put up for her an 
             outstanding crown of righteousness, and we all thank God 
             for having Ms. Juanita Millender-McDonald pass our way.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
             gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop).

               Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, my wife Vivian, 
             all of our colleagues here in the Congress, and all of the 
             hundreds of workers here on Capitol Hill were deeply 
             saddened to learn of the death of our friend and 
             colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               Words are never adequate at a time of loss. Only one who 
             has worn the garment of bereavement can truly understand 
             the pain that comes when a family must confront the 
             inevitable that one has been taken from its midst. Yet, 
             upon prayerful reflection we must all allow our tears to 
             melt into joy, because truly we have been blessed to have 
             known, to love, and to have been a part of the life of 
             this very, very exceptional woman.
               Juanita was a lady of achievement, of service, of public 
             distinction, of beauty, of grace, of dignity. She was 
             elegant and she was eloquent. She was the epitome of 
             refinement, but she was committed. She was intellectual, 
             she was a lady of principle, and she was an advocate for 
             justice.
               Juanita was a person of great courage. She took on the 
             toughest fight, but she fought it with dignity. Even in 
             her illness, she took on that tough fight. I was happy to 
             call her my friend, but I was happier for her to call me 
             friend and confidante.
               A poet wrote, ``Full many a gem of purest ray serene, 
             the dark unfathomed caves of oceans bear; full many a 
             flower is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness on 
             the desert air.'' We are blessed and so happy that 
             Juanita's sweetness was not wasted, but that we and the 
             world are better because she was here.
               We wish Godspeed and the consolation of the Holy Spirit 
             for her husband, her children, and her grandchildren as we 
             share in your loss and bid our good friend and colleague 
             farewell.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
             gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt).

               Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
             yielding time. I join with my colleagues in expressing 
             sympathy and paying tribute to our friend and colleague, 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               When you serve in a body of 435 people, you get to know 
             some of the Members by face, some by name, and then you 
             get to know some close up and personal. When you serve as 
             chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, as I did for the 
             last 2 years, you get to know your members on a close 
             personal basis, and you get to know who will stand with 
             you and fight, who will support you, who will cover your 
             back for you. And that is how I got to know Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald, because I knew she would stand and 
             fight for what she believed in and she would be a friend.
               So I remember her first and foremost as a friend and 
             colleague, and pay tribute to her family and express my 
             sincere condolences.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
             gentlewoman from Ohio, Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

               Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my 
             colleague, Diane Watson, for organizing this event.
               You know, when I think of Juanita Millender-McDonald, I 
             think of this piece of poetry called ``A Phenomenal 
             Woman.'' In one of the lines in that piece of poetry, it 
             says, ``Does my sexiness upset you? Do you find it awful 
             hard that I dance like I have oil wells growing in my back 
             yard?'' And Juanita was like that. She danced and she 
             walked and she showed off, and that is what I loved most 
             about her.
               When I came to Congress, I learned that we had Alabama 
             roots. I learned that she was an AKA and I was a Delta. 
             And on the floor of the House I would wear pink, and she 
             would say, ``Oh, you look good in that pink.'' And I would 
             say, ``Oh it is only faded red that I have on,'' because 
             Deltas wore red.
               We talked about issues affecting women. It was as a 
             result of her work and that of Bob Ney that I had an 
             opportunity to bring the Secretary of State of Ohio before 
             a hearing and get him to answer questions. I thank Juanita 
             for that.
               But I think the thing that Juanita and I talked about 
             most, and my words are to you, Keith, that she loved you. 
             We talked about our sons. And African American sons are so 
             important in the lives of mothers. And we used to talk 
             about you. And I used to talk about Mervyn. And she loved 
             her daughters, but we talked about our boys.
               And I just want to say to the family, Jim and all, that 
             we here in the Congress will miss Juanita Millender-
             McDonald. But the thing that we will always remember is 
             she was right there on that aisle, right there, just 
             sitting there talking, smiling, walking, being involved. 
             And we thank God for Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               And, God, you know, AKAs came first, but the Deltas were 
             second. So I will always think of her as my sister. We are 
             from the same roots.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, as my final speaker, I yield 
             3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
             Rohrabacher), who has also had a difficult week. He lost 
             his brother this week, and our condolences are with him, 
             also.

               Mr. ROHRABACHER. Madam Speaker, I lost two people who 
             were very dear to me this last week, and one was my 
             brother, who passed away Thursday morning, and Juanita, 
             who just passed away on Sunday.
               It is really an amazing thing as I have thought about 
             this, just about how similar these two people were, 
             because my brother was very, very active in politics, but 
             he was really non-ideological. He was someone who had a 
             very good heart and was a very generous person, was always 
             looking forward trying to help people get something done. 
             Does that remind of you anybody else?
               That was Juanita. I mean, there wasn't an ornery bone in 
             her body. And in politics, you know, we get kicked around 
             and beat up a lot and people lie to us, and people say bad 
             things about us, and I never saw Juanita ever get mean or 
             vengeful at all toward anybody.
               And we used to travel back and forth in the airplane. I 
             see some of my friends here who traveled on that same 
             flight. And it was always such a joy to be with her and to 
             spend 4 and 5 hours at a time going across the country. 
             And you can't say that about everybody. Who else do you 
             want to spend 4 or 5 hours with?
               She was a wonderful person. She had a wonderful heart.
               And my brother wasn't as successful as Juanita. When he 
             passed away, he really didn't have a lot of professional 
             success.
               Juanita, as we have heard today, had enormous 
             professional and personal success in her life, being a 
             woman who reached up to the height of power and authority 
             and influence here in Washington, DC, and our Nation's 
             Capital.
               But you know what? Whether it was that or whether it was 
             my poor brother who passed away, both of them died of 
             liver cancer, I might add. Both of them died of liver 
             cancer, just so close to each other.
               But, you know, when they lay us down in our casket, no 
             matter what we have accomplished in the material world, it 
             is what we have done to try to help others, how good a 
             heart we have, how generous we have been to other people, 
             not just financially, but with our time and with our love 
             and with our caring. Those are the things that we carry 
             with us.
               I believe my brother was a very accomplished and 
             successful person in that way. And we certainly know that 
             today, Juanita was a wonderful success in her life. She 
             cared about people. She never was captured by the meanness 
             and orneriness that comes with politics sometimes.
               She always wanted to get things done. She worked with 
             me. Our districts came together in Long Beach and we 
             worked together on so many programs for the people of Long 
             Beach, especially in the areas of transportation and water 
             and health care, and she was always there trying to talk 
             to me, saying what can we get done.
               I am a conservative Republican and she was a Democrat, 
             but she always wanted to work together to try to do things 
             to help other people. So I am very proud tonight to stand 
             up and say that I will miss Juanita. I am going to miss my 
             brother, obviously. But this world has lost two wonderful 
             souls, two wonderful human beings. And I am pleased to add 
             my voice tonight to say goodbye, Juanita, and we are going 
             to miss you. You had lots of love in your heart, and we 
             love you. Bye-bye.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
             gentlewoman from California, Hilda Solis.

               Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the 
             gentlewoman from Los Angeles, Congresswoman Watson, for 
             holding this special event here for us to talk about one 
             of our colleagues.
               You know, I haven't been here very long in the Congress; 
             but when I came in 2001, I knew that I had a friend here. 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald at that time served as caucus 
             chair for the Women's Caucus and led the fight in so many 
             ways for justice for women. And particularly, as a woman 
             of color, she knew how deeply important it was to set 
             herself up as a role model for all of us.
               I remember her coming back and talking to me about 
             events she did in her district. Every year she would raise 
             funds and give grants out to domestic violence shelters 
             and programs. She would have a big event with her 
             community, and she kept inviting me. Hilda, you have got 
             to see what we are doing out in our area; and it is 
             something that you should take a look at.
               She was there. She fought so hard for us during the 
             Women's Caucus as she served her tenure, helping to 
             promote women in the military. And she was strongly 
             supportive of women in the military.
               And I know that her family, right now, needs our prayers 
             and thoughts, and we send those from our community and 
             from my family, from my husband and myself, and want to 
             thank her for all that she did to fight for us, for our 
             transportation funding in Southern California, for the ACE 
             Project, which affects so many of the L.A. delegation 
             members, and for her strong work and advocacy for people 
             of color affected by HIV and AIDS.
               So I want to thank her. And it is fitting to say that 
             this evening, because this evening after we finish our 
             discussions here, we are going to talk about the 
             uninsured. And Lord knows that our communities of color 
             share a heavy burden, disparate treatment, disparities 
             that exist with chronic illnesses, and one of those being 
             cancer, particularly African American women who many times 
             go undiagnosed. We need to do more in this area. And so we 
             think of her today. We honor her, and we thank her family 
             for the time that she served with us here on Earth.

               Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time 
             is remaining on both sides.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. You have 1 minute, and the 
             gentlewoman has 1\1/2\ minutes.

               Mr. CALVERT. I would close, Madam Speaker, by saying 
             that we heard many great stories about Juanita and 
             remembrances of her life, and we have lost a great friend, 
             a great champion for our home State of California, and a 
             great champion for our country. And as we mourn her loss, 
             our condolences are shared with her family. Godspeed, 
             Juanita.
               Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to Ms. 
             Marcy Kaptur from Ohio.

               Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I can say that Congresswoman 
             Millender-McDonald would be so happy to see Congresswoman 
             Yvette Clarke in the Chair tonight. And I thank 
             Congresswoman Diane Watson for her compassionate service 
             and certainly for this memorial service tonight. And I 
             extend deepest condolences on behalf of the people of Ohio 
             to the family of our beloved Congresswoman, Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald, her husband, Jim, her children, and 
             her grandchildren.
               Having had the great pleasure of serving with her during 
             her entire tenure, let me say, when I think of Juanita, I 
             think of a woman who was resilient, who was strong, 
             determined, refined, accomplished, persevering and, 
             indeed, courageous, a pioneer with a great sense of humor 
             and, as a minister's daughter, a boundless sense of hope.
               Even today, for a woman to chair a full committee of 
             this House is a rarity. And for an African American woman, 
             she created the mold, the first African American woman in 
             the history of this country to chair a full committee in 
             this House.
               Just a few weeks ago, a new volume of ``Women of 
             Congress'' was published, and hers is the first name in 
             that volume, commissioned by order of the chair of the 
             House Administration Committee, Juanita Millender-
             McDonald.
               There are some people who teach us how to live and 
             indeed, she did. And many people can teach us how to die, 
             and she has done that with her great dignity and her 
             courage.
               Just a few weeks ago, when Nancy Pelosi of California 
             was sworn in as our first Speaker, I had the great honor 
             of being one of the two Democratic tellers. Juanita, as 
             chair of the House Administration Committee, sat to my 
             right. I shall never forget that moment, and I think she 
             lived partly for that moment.
               May her strength comfort her family in these trying 
             moments of bereavement. I believe God holds close those 
             who journey toward the light in this Easter and Passover 
             season. And may the angels of mercy lift her and lift the 
             spirits of those who love her and bring comfort and bring 
             peace.

               Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, Congresswoman Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald was a remarkably committed legislator. 
             As the first African American woman to chair a full 
             committee in Congress, she was deeply dedicated to the 
             work of the House Administration Committee. Through her 
             chair, she was working on landmark legislation to ensure 
             the integrity of our voting system.
               At home, Representative Millender-McDonald worked every 
             day for her constituents on the issues of health care, 
             economic development and housing. Representative 
             Millender-McDonald was engaged in a serious effort to 
             revitalize the public housing in her district and was 
             involved in a series of tours and meetings with the 
             Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Alphonso 
             Jackson, at both Imperial Courts and Nickerson Gardens 
             aimed at providing better housing options for her 
             constituents.
               Recently, we joined together to lend our voices to the 
             chorus of community leaders and residents in a successful 
             effort to extend funding for Martin Luther King Hospital.
               Representative Millender-McDonald will be missed not 
             only by her constituents in the 37th District, but by all 
             of the people who were touched by her service.

               Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, in my office is a wonderful 
             photograph of Juanita and I, arms raised in victory, It 
             was taken as I announced my intention to run for Governor 
             of California in 1998. She was right there, and I was 
             clearly buoyed by her presence. Our friendship was forged 
             in that tough campaign, and it remained strong.
               Juanita was a popular and highly regarded Member of this 
             House. Those are not easy things to achieve in a very 
             competitive workplace, so it is worth asking how she did 
             it.
               First, she was a loyal friend. Once she decided to 
             endorse or support you, she never flinched--no matter how 
             hot the heat. And second, she was a pro. She had a clear 
             idea of what legislators can do, and she worked hard.
               The results are obvious. Juanita Millender-McDonald 
             served California's 37th Congressional District well.
               When she came to Congress, she decided to add 
             ``Millender'' to her name in order to honor her father. 
             Surely she honored her mother. But she also honored her 
             constituents--and this Congress.
               A good friend, superb colleague and class act, Juanita, 
             you will be missed.

               Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today 
             with a heavy heart as I remember my dear friend and 
             colleague, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. 
             Juanita passed away April 22 in her home State of 
             California. She will be remembered as a strong woman and 
             formidable legislator who broke down many barriers by 
             becoming the first African American woman in history to 
             chair a committee in Congress, the House Administration 
             Committee, and the first African American woman to serve 
             on the Carson City Council and the first to chair two 
             committees in the California State Assembly.
               I really got to know Juanita when I cochaired the 
             Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues and subsequently 
             when she became the cochair. She was a strong advocate for 
             women's and minority rights and was a strong ally in the 
             effort to combat human trafficking. Juanita came to work 
             with a passion and determination that is rarely found. She 
             represented the 37th Congressional District with dignity 
             and pride, proving to be an effective leader and caring 
             Representative.
               I especially want to extend my condolences to 
             Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's husband, James, and to 
             her five children and grandchildren. You are in my 
             thoughts and prayers.

               Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I wish to offer my 
             sincerest condolences to the family of Congresswoman 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald. My thoughts and prayers go out 
             to them in their time of mourning.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald amassed many firsts and 
             accomplishments during her life as a public servant by 
             breaking racial and gender barriers. She was the first 
             African American woman to serve as ranking member and 
             chair of the powerful House Committee on Administration. 
             She was also the first woman to serve on the Carson City 
             Council; the first to chair two powerful California State 
             Assembly committees--the Insurance Committee; and the 
             Revenue and Taxation Committee in her first term as a 
             State legislator. She was also the first African American 
             Democratic chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's 
             Issues and in that capacity she led the women on two 
             groundbreaking meetings: One with U.N. Secretary General 
             Kofi Annan to talk about the plight of women globally and 
             another with the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange 
             to develop strategies for increasing women's investments 
             and net worth.
               In recognition of women who served in our military, 
             Congresswoman Millender-McDonald initiated the first 
             annual Memorial Day Tribute to Women in the Military at 
             the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and 
             she led the fight to secure $15 million for the 
             maintenance of the memorial. She most recently secured $50 
             million for counseling services for our returning men and 
             women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
               During her 6 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, 
             her ability to reach across the aisle and effectively move 
             bipartisan legislation was evident during her work on a 
             range of issues, including ensuring equal rights for women 
             and minorities, improving our education system, combating 
             poverty, protecting voting rights, and stopping the 
             genocide in Darfur.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald devoted her life to her 
             family and to service on behalf of her constituents in the 
             37th District of California and to the Nation. 
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald was truly a 
             phenomenal woman. She is a friend and colleague who will 
             be sorely missed.

               Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
             express my deep sadness at the passing of my friend and 
             colleague, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, a 
             dedicated public servant, who worked tirelessly on behalf 
             of her constituents and her country.
               I had the privilege to serve with Congresswoman 
             Millender-McDonald on the House Administration Committee 
             and also previously in the California State Assembly, and 
             can attest to the passion, dignity, and grace she brought 
             to her work.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald devoted much of her life to 
             public service. In her career she was an educator and an 
             advisor, a member of Carson's City Council, a California 
             State Assemblywoman and finally a Member of Congress.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's passion and drive 
             were unmatched. She was an unwavering advocate for 
             minority rights. She was a champion of women's health 
             issues. She was an adamant opponent of the genocide in 
             Darfur. And she was committed to securing election reform 
             and security for our Nation's ports.
               I admired Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's leadership 
             and fervor in her many roles: as community leader, Member 
             of Congress, and chairwoman. All those who knew her and 
             worked with her know the void she leaves with her passing. 
             I extend my heartfelt condolences to her husband, James, 
             her children and her grandchildren. She will be missed.

               Mrs. MYRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
             late Juanita Millender-McDonald, who bravely fought a 
             battle with cancer up until this past weekend. After a 
             painful struggle, she's now at peace.
               Juanita and I both came to Congress in 1995. While we 
             were on different sides of the aisle, I always respected 
             her passion for a host of issues, and her willingness to 
             work with the other side to find solutions. At only 68 
             years of age, it seemed she had many more years of public 
             service ahead of her, and I'm sorry for the loss of a 
             friend and colleague.
               Juanita became a good friend of mine back in 1999, when 
             I was diagnosed with cancer. She made a point of reaching 
             out to me to show her support, and I've always been 
             grateful to her for going out of her way to lend a kind 
             word and a compassionate smile.
               Her passing is yet another reminder of how much more 
             work is needed to continue our Nation's war on cancer, in 
             spite of the progress that's been made so far.
               Today we mourn the loss of a friend, and our thoughts 
             and prayers go out to her husband James, and her children 
             and grandchildren.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has 
             expired.
               Without objection, the previous question is ordered on 
             the resolution.
               There was no objection.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the 
             resolution.
               The resolution was agreed to.
               A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the 
             House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) is 
             recognized for 5 minutes.

               Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that 
             I rise this evening to celebrate the life of my very good 
             friend and colleague, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-
             McDonald.
               I personally have known Congresswoman Juanita Millender-
             McDonald for over 30 years. Our time together spans back 
             before her days as a Member of this distinguished body 
             when I was member of the Los Angeles Unified School Board 
             and she was there as an administrator and then as a 
             California State legislator. And then on that road she was 
             elected to the Carson City Council.
               Juanita's distinguished life is a life of ``firsts.'' 
             She is the first African American woman in history to 
             chair the Committee on House Administration, which 
             oversees the operation of the House, the Library of 
             Congress, the Smithsonian Institute, and the National Zoo. 
             The Committee on House Administration also oversees all 
             Federal elections. Juanita worked tirelessly to 
             investigate all reports of voter irregularities and voter 
             disenfranchisement. She was one of the first Members of 
             Congress to call for a congressional hearing on reported 
             voting irregularities in the State of Ohio. She played an 
             important role in congressional election reform.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald was also the first African 
             American woman to serve on the Carson City Council and the 
             first to hold the position of chairwoman for two powerful 
             California State Assembly committees in her first term.
               Like myself, Juanita Millender-McDonald at heart was an 
             educator. After raising five children, Juanita, at the age 
             of 40, returned to school and earned a bachelor's degree 
             from the University of Redlands and a master's degree in 
             educational administration from Cal State L.A.
               She spent her early career in the classroom, teaching 
             high school and working at a career center. It is here 
             that Juanita first demonstrated her ongoing interest in 
             the lives of young people and issues that impact the lives 
             of women and their children. But above all, Juanita worked 
             tirelessly for all the people in her community. And I want 
             to say, all the people. She was a people person who had an 
             uncanny skill to build and sustain networks.
               As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure 
             Committee, Juanita worked, again tirelessly, to secure 
             much-needed Federal assistance for Southern California's 
             transportation needs, including funding for her passion: 
             for the Alameda Corridor.
               Juanita's passing is a great loss to this institution, 
             her constituents, and this Nation. She was a great citizen 
             as well as a great person and would have made a lasting 
             and important contribution to this body in her position as 
             House Administration chair. She was making that 
             contribution every single day.
               And I would say to her, ``Juanita, you missed the 
             caucus.'' ``You missed the California caucus.'' ``You 
             missed the Black Caucus.''
               She said, ``I am so busy working, I don't have time for 
             the caucuses.'' She was committed.
               And on a personal note, Madam Speaker, when she was 
             sworn in as a Congresswoman in her district, I went there. 
             She had been sworn in here, and when she got up to speak, 
             she said, ``You know, I was raised on a farm and I married 
             early.'' And she said, ``I was so naive, when I had five 
             children one after another, I just knew it was that orange 
             juice, being raised on a farm.'' So I would tease her. I 
             said, ``Juanita, watch out for the orange juice.''
               She was one of my closest friends and colleagues. She 
             will be missed. And I want you to know she was raised by a 
             father and her older sisters. She was the youngest. So she 
             said, ``You know, on a farm we were wealthy.'' And she 
             said, ``But it was my father who played the role of both 
             parents. He set down the principles and values by which I 
             run my life. So in honor of my father, I am adding as my 
             middle name, my maiden name, his last name.'' So, 
             therefore, she became Juanita Millender-McDonald. And if 
             you ever saw her signature, it was one of the most 
             beautiful, graceful signatures. And she always took time 
             to write ``Juanita Millender-McDonald.'' And I would go on 
             correcting people when they said ``Juanita McDonald.'' I 
             said, ``No. Juanita Millender-McDonald.''
               So, Juanita, we celebrate you and we know that you are 
             here in these Chambers today. And to end my piece and 
             allow the others, we did a taping with our voices on it, 
             and at the end we sang to her ``Dreamgirls.'' We will 
             always be dreaming of our Juanita Millender-McDonald.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the 
             House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is 
             recognized for 5 minutes.

               Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I join with my 
             colleagues from all across America who have spent much of 
             the evening extolling the virtues of our colleague Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald. Much has been said, and yet there is 
             much that can, in fact, be added.
               As a matter of fact, when I first came to Congress, 
             Juanita was one of the first persons that my wife and I 
             met. So my wife immediately became a Juanita Millender-
             McDonald fan. And I said to her, ``Vera, it is all right 
             for you to be a Juanita Millender-McDonald fan, but don't 
             try to dress like her. We can't afford it.''
               Juanita was, in fact, a charming, delightful, snazzy 
             lady, the essence of femininity, but as tough as a nail. 
             As a matter of fact, I don't know if a week went by that I 
             didn't receive some communique from her talking about some 
             issue or explaining something that she had done or 
             something that she had worked on. And as I listened to all 
             of my colleagues talk about her many ``firsts,'' the first 
             African American woman to serve on the Carson City 
             Council, the first African American woman to render the 
             national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly 
             radio address, the first to be named honorary curator of 
             the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, and the 
             first Democratic chair of the Congressional Caucus on 
             Women's Issues. Obviously, she was many firsts. And I 
             guess maybe the poet Homer had her in mind when he said 
             that there are pioneer souls that go where highways never 
             ran, but let me live in my House by the side of the road 
             and be a friend to man.
               And I guess he had Juanita in mind as he talked about 
             why would I live in my House by the side of the road as 
             the race of men go by. Men who are good, men who are bad, 
             men who are wise, foolish, but then so am I. So why would 
             I not simply be, as Juanita has been, one who understood 
             the relationship between people, moving across aisles, 
             moving across boundaries to accomplish and get things 
             done.
               So on behalf of my family and me and all of the 
             residents of the Seventh Congressional District of 
             Illinois, we extend our greatest condolences to her family 
             and say that we too would hope to live in the House by the 
             side of the road like Juanita Millender-McDonald and be a 
             friend to mankind.

               Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, I am so honored to see all 
             of our colleagues rise and extol all of the great virtues 
             of Juanita Millender-McDonald, talking about her historic 
             firsts, her role as mayor pro tempore, city councilperson, 
             the first African American woman to chair a committee in 
             the House, and all of the great things that she did, 
             things that commanded the attention of the whole world.
               But I just want to say, as a member of the freshman 
             class, that coming to Congress, trying to figure out what 
             is going on around here, things going by so quickly, 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald had time for people in our 
             situation, just trying to figure out what was happening. 
             She had a moment to say, How is it going? Did you know 
             where this was or where that was, and what can I do to 
             help you?
               So in life, Madam Speaker, people will often remember 
             the great things that we did that command headlines and 
             find things that we do that command public attention. But 
             greatness is measured by the small things in life, and in 
             those small things she was great also.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the 
             House, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) is 
             recognized for 5 minutes.

               Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, yesterday we lost a devoted 
             colleague and friend, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-
             McDonald.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a dedicated public 
             servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of her 
             constituents in the 37th Congressional District of 
             California. As we know, prior to her coming to Congress, 
             she made a name for herself as the first African American 
             woman to serve on the City Council in Carson City and the 
             chairwoman of two powerful committees, Insurance and 
             Revenue.
               But many people don't know that in recognition of women 
             who served our country in uniform during wartime, 
             Congresswoman Millender-McDonald initiated the first 
             annual Memorial Day Tribute to Women in the Military at 
             the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. And 
             she led the fight to secure $15 million for the 
             maintenance of the memorial. She also secured $50 million 
             for counseling services for our returning men and women 
             serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
               Bold initiatives have been her trademark. In 2005, 
             Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, along with other CBC 
             members, unveiled a portrait of Joseph Rainey, the first 
             African American to be seated in Congress. She was very 
             proud of that because she contacted members of his family 
             who are alive today, and there was a tremendous 
             celebration.
               Internationally, she spoke out against genocide in 
             Cambodia and Darfur and other regions of the world where 
             human rights are in danger. She worked with former 
             Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Ambassador John 
             Miller on human trafficking and women's rights issues 
             globally.
               She reminds me of a poem I learned as a youngster in 
             elementary school, actually; but it is appropriate because 
             her memory will live on. The poem is called, ``The Arrow 
             and a Song.'' It said:

               I shot an arrow into the air, it fell to Earth I know 
             not where. For so swiftly it flew, my sight could not 
             follow it in its flight.
               I sang a song into the air, it fell to Earth I know not 
             where. For who has sight so keen and strong that can 
             follow the flight of a song? But long, long afterwards in 
             an oak I found the arrow still unbroke. And the song, from 
             beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.

               And so I say that to say that what Juanita did will live 
             on. Her work for the persons who worked in the Library of 
             Congress who were minorities and women who were being 
             terminated, and we felt unfairly, she took on that 
             responsibility to fight to see that those women, 
             primarily, would be placed in other positions.
               She worked hard, and her dignity and her beauty and her 
             perfection were certainly noticed. And I can tell you, the 
             women talk about the grace that she had. Well, let me make 
             it clear that the men also noticed that grace and that 
             beauty and that charm. And so we will remember her as she 
             moves on up that highway.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ellison). Under a previous 
             order of the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
             Sherman) is recognized for 5 minutes.

               Mr. SHERMAN. You know, it is heartwarming to sit here 
             for a while and to listen to these personal tales of our 
             good friend, Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               I first got to know Juanita in our days as activists 
             during the 1980s on the Los Angeles County Democratic 
             Central Committee. Both of us entered State government in 
             the early 1990s; both of us came here to Congress in the 
             mid-1990s.
               Juanita broke barriers. Juanita led the charge. She was 
             the first African American woman on the Carson City 
             Council, the first African American woman to chair the 
             Revenue and Taxation Committee of the California Assembly, 
             where I enjoyed working with her on State tax issues. 
             Juanita was the first African American woman to give the 
             Democratic Radio Address response. And finally, she was 
             the first African American woman to serve as chair of the 
             House Administration Committee.
               Now, her fine work on that committee has been detailed 
             by so many of the prior speakers who have come to this 
             floor. And the prior speakers have also spoken of her work 
             on the Transportation Committee, where we in Southern 
             California are so grateful to her for her efforts on 
             behalf of the Alameda Corridor.
               Juanita will be missed, of course, by her husband James, 
             by her five children and by her five grandchildren. She 
             will be remembered here for her record of legislative 
             accomplishment, and she will be remembered here for the 
             spunk she showed every day. And finally, she will be 
             remembered for the courage she showed in these final days, 
             because Juanita barely mentioned to her closest friends 
             that she was a bit under the weather. Right up to the end 
             she was fighting the good fight. Juanita's courage and 
             strength will be remembered.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the 
             House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) is 
             recognized for 5 minutes.

               Ms. WOOLSEY. Juanita Millender-McDonald. We already miss 
             you, your beautiful face, your elegance and grace, your 
             tenacity and spirit. Your absence will leave a void that 
             will never, ever be filled. And that is what we know about 
             you here without question in the House of Representatives, 
             so we can only guess how much you are going to be missed 
             by your beloved family. They, in their grief, however, can 
             always take solace in their pride and in their love and 
             their appreciation of such an amazing woman.
               Beloved wife, mother of five, grandmother of five, 
             member of the California Assembly, Member of the U.S. 
             House of Representatives, and in the end, the very first 
             African American woman to become chairwoman of a full 
             committee.
               Because of this position, this elegant persuasive 
             woman's portrait will hang in the Halls of Congress for 
             the rest of time. And over the years she will watch over 
             the activities of her House Administration Committee. And 
             believe me, she will be expecting excellence. So while 
             Juanita rests, she expects each and every one of us to 
             keep on going until we can go no more; and because of her 
             example, we will do our very best.
               We already miss you, Juanita, and we will remember you 
             always.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the 
             House, the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) is 
             recognized for 5 minutes.

               Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to thank my good 
             friend from California (Ms. Watson).
               I, too, Mr. Speaker, want to take this opportunity to 
             associate myself with the remarks made by our colleagues 
             this evening in tribute to Congresswoman Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald.
               On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend to her family 
             our condolences. She was a strong and effective leader for 
             the people of the 37th Congressional District of 
             California, and we are going to miss her here in Congress.
               Juanita took a special interest in the people of Guam. 
             When I first met her, I was a freshman. She stopped me in 
             the hall and she said, ``Are you the new Representative 
             from Guam?'' I said, ``Yes.'' And she introduced herself 
             and she said, ``I want you to know that I have many people 
             from Guam in my district.''
               She attended our liberation wreath-laying ceremony at 
             Arlington. I will never forget it. And each time we met, 
             whether it was here on the floor or in the hall, she would 
             always ask me about the people of Guam.
               She was a strong leader. She made her mark here in 
             Congress. And I extend to her family, her husband, her 
             children, and her grandchildren, our deepest sympathies.
               God bless you, Juanita, for everything that you did for 
             the American people.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the 
             House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) is 
             recognized for 5 minutes.

               Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, tonight I plan to speak on the 
             anniversary of the Armenian genocide; but before I do, I 
             want to join my colleagues in expressing my sincere 
             condolence at the passing of Juanita Millender-McDonald, 
             someone who in my very first days of Congress impressed me 
             as a courageous, intelligent, dedicated public servant 
             who, every time I went to her for help on an issue in her 
             committee or outside her committee, was generous with her 
             time and her energy, always ready to help, always of good 
             cheer, and someone who I think enjoyed the unanimous and 
             bipartisan respect of everyone in this body. Her memory 
             will be cherished; her presence will be deeply missed. . . 

               Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. . . . Mr. Speaker, I want to pay 
             tribute to a woman who was a champion of health for 
             minorities and other people of color. The extremely sad 
             news of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's death came as a 
             shock to all of us, and it is with a deep sense of loss 
             that I join my colleagues who were here earlier in 
             mourning her passing. Not only have I lost a colleague, 
             but also a mentor, a sister, and a friend.
               I was honored to work alongside Congresswoman Millender-
             McDonald as members of the Congressional Black Caucus 
             together, and the Small Business Community. Juanita was a 
             true champion for minority and women-owned small 
             businesses, and played a pivotal role in proposing and 
             passing legislation to expand financing and contracting 
             opportunities for our Nation's small businesses. Her 
             dedication to helping women-owned businesses was evident 
             in her dedication to increasing funding to expand women's 
             business centers throughout our Nation.
               Her commitment to improving the lives of minorities is 
             reflected in her lifelong work in affiliations with 
             organizations such as the NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and a 
             number of other organizations devoted to the advancement 
             of minorities. She will also be remembered for her 
             outstanding stewardship in the areas of transportation, 
             education, health, and FEMA legislation.
               We are grateful for the leadership and the innovation 
             that she brought to the Committee on House Administration, 
             which led to her historic achievement as the first African 
             American woman to chair a committee in Congress.
               I know that the House staff and all of the Members 
             appreciate her role in establishing the House Fitness 
             Center and creating an outlet for mental and physical 
             activity. She has truly left a legacy for all of us 
             through her distinguished service on this important 
             committee.
               Juanita will also be remembered for her passion for 
             education, which was evident in her many eloquent speeches 
             on the floor. She was truly a gifted and skilled orator. 
             Juanita had the distinct ability to captivate and engage 
             her audiences. Although she possessed strong and 
             determined qualities, she personified grace, compassion, 
             and beauty both inside and out.
               On a more personal note, it was through Juanita, a 
             minister's daughter, that I began attending Thursday 
             morning prayer breakfasts when I first came to Congress. 
             Her godliness was seen in all that she did.
               Juanita championed the cause of AIDS long before it was 
             fashionable to do so. Every year she held a race in her 
             district. And while I could never get away to attend, she 
             always had all of our support, and we never missed a t-
             shirt or any of the other paraphernalia that she gave out 
             each year.
               Juanita always spoke of her district with great 
             affection and dedication. She frequently remarked that she 
             had the most diverse district in the country, and that she 
             was able to bring them together. And to be reelected over 
             and over is a testament to her leadership and her abiding 
             belief that we are all children of God, equal in His sight 
             and made in His image. Her mission was one of justice, 
             fairness, and opportunity for all.
               One cannot speak of Juanita Millender-McDonald without 
             remarking on her exquisite taste and her unequaled sense 
             of style. She was always dressed to the nines and was 
             always the epitome of elegance and grace.
               Mr. Speaker, although her passing leaves a void in the 
             halls of Congress, her spirit and legacy will forever be 
             with us. Words are not enough to express our profound 
             sorrow. On behalf of my family, staff, and the people of 
             the U.S. Virgin Islands, my deepest sympathy goes out to 
             her husband, James McDonald, their children, 
             grandchildren, extended family, and dedicated staff. May 
             God bless and comfort them at this time in grief as we 
             know He is welcoming our sister home.

               Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker . . . I would like to join with 
             my colleagues in expressing my deep sorrow at the passing 
             of our colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald. Just 
             briefly, she was a kind and gentle person. She was a great 
             advocate for many things that she believed in. She was a 
             pioneer. But, for me, she was just a very helpful and warm 
             and friendly person.
               When I came to Congress, she had already been here for 
             several years. She was the chairwoman of the Caucus on 
             Women's Issues, and I was the vice chair for the 
             Republican side. Juanita was always very helpful, always 
             very concerned that I was making my way in my first 
             several months in Congress, and I think the way she 
             crossed the aisle, the way that she treated me with kid 
             gloves, so-to-speak, in the beginning of my term, is 
             something that I will never forget. So my thoughts and 
             prayers are with her. Bless her family during this very 
             tough time, and know that she will be missed. . . .

               Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate 
             myself with the comments of the gentlewoman from West 
             Virginia (Mrs. Capito). I too would like to express 
             sympathy to Ms. Millender-McDonald's family and to the 
             families of those young people whose lives were 
             senselessly taken at Virginia Tech. . . .

               Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today 
             with a heavy heart. The passing of the Honorable Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald is being felt by all who knew her, and 
             all who were touched by her career in public service. I 
             want to extend my condolences to her family, friends, and 
             constituents in California's 37th District for their great 
             loss.
               In fact, we all have lost something in the chairwoman's 
             passing. For me, I lost a colleague, but my wife Annette 
             and I also have lost a neighbor and friend.
               Much has been said in these past days about what she 
             meant to California and to the Congress as a whole. When 
             she won her first election to the City Council of Carson, 
             CA, she committed herself to more than two decades of 
             public service. As the first African American woman to 
             chair a committee here in the House, she was a 
             trailblazer. And as the so-called ``mayor of Capitol 
             Hill'' she was charged with ensuring the smooth operation 
             of the People's House, while overseeing the biggest 
             expansion of the Capitol complex as the Capitol Visitors 
             Center nears completion.
               Madam Speaker, many of us are so busy that we don't have 
             time to really get to know one another. Seeing Juanita 
             every morning on my way to the office was an extraordinary 
             way to start off my day, and in the evening we would 
             compare notes on our way home. I will truly miss seeing 
             her and am heartbroken by her untimely passing.
               Congress has lost a singularly able and warm person 
             whose contributions to the greater good for her district, 
             the people of California, the country as a whole, and 
             African American women will live on. Our prayers are with 
             her family as we all mourn the passing of Chairwoman 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald.

               Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I wish to join 
             my colleagues in expressing my sorrow over the passing of 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald, the Representative of 
             California's 37th Congressional District. My thoughts and 
             prayers go out to her constituents, her friends, and her 
             family.
               Madam Speaker, I had the opportunity to get to know 
             Juanita during the 109th Congress when we both served as 
             members of the Committee on House Administration. While 
             some might view oversight of election law and the day-to-
             day functions of the House as relatively uninteresting, I 
             know that I do not, and I know that Juanita, who served as 
             ranking member at the time, did not think them trivial 
             either.
               Whatever topic was before the committee, Juanita was 
             dedicated to assuring that things were done fairly, 
             properly, and effectively. She was vigorous in 
             guaranteeing the integrity of the Federal elections 
             process and was committed to ensuring that every eligible 
             voter had free and unfettered access to the voting booth. 
             Likewise, in her oversight of managing the House, she 
             wanted to ensure that everyone on Capitol Hill had a safe 
             and secure place to work or visit, while preserving the 
             grandeur of the Capitol and the surrounding buildings.
               This tenacity was something she demonstrated throughout 
             her life, not just during the decade she spent in 
             Congress. After raising her five children, she continued 
             her own education, earning a bachelor's degree at the age 
             of 40. She followed that up with a master's degree in 
             educational administration. She was no stranger to hard 
             work, and she was not afraid to take on a challenge.
               One of Juanita's most notable accomplishments occurred 
             earlier this year. In January, she became the first 
             African American woman to chair a committee in the House 
             of Representatives. It was something that made many 
             Members of the House very proud, and it was a tremendous 
             accomplishment for a woman whose life was full of 
             monumental achievements.
               I think it speaks volumes of Juanita's dedication that 
             she was here voting in this House, representing her 
             constituents, until less than a month before cancer took 
             her life. In fact, almost none of her colleagues were 
             aware of her illness and how serious it had become until 
             the week before she passed away. And through it all, she 
             held a warm spirit and a kind smile.
               Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues in sorrow for 
             Juanita's passing, and I again express my condolences to 
             Juanita's family, friends, and constituents.

               Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that 
             I rise today to remember a pioneering woman, a fearless 
             advocate for justice and equality, and a remarkable 
             trailblazer who was dedicated to improving the lives of 
             others. Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald embodied 
             all that Members of Congress strive to be: she was a 
             masterful navigator of Washington politics; she was a 
             tireless champion for her constituents in Southern 
             California; she was a focused and determined activist for 
             the less fortunate all over the world. She was also a dear 
             friend and valued colleague to those of us in Congress, 
             and to so many others who were fortunate enough to know 
             her on both a personal and professional level.
               As the first African American woman ever to wield the 
             gavel of a full congressional committee, Juanita was proof 
             of the milestones that can be achieved through dedication, 
             intelligence, and political acumen. Her steady rise 
             through the hierarchy of California politics--from a seat 
             on the Carson City Council to a position in the California 
             State Assembly, and finally to the Halls of Congress--
             instilled in her an unshakeable allegiance to the people 
             who repeatedly elected her.
               Juanita's intense loyalty to her constituents was 
             reflected in their own well-placed faith that she would 
             represent them in a principled and thoughtful manner. She 
             never let them down; indeed, her record as a public figure 
             was characterized by an attention to the needs of her 
             constituents, by a single-minded focus on achieving 
             equality, and by adherence to the principle that 
             democratic government should help those most in need.
               Everything Juanita did was colored by her passionate 
             quest for equality. She used this intensity to her 
             advantage, emerging as an effective and authoritative 
             advocate for women's rights at home and abroad. Never 
             afraid to tackle controversial issues or to use her 
             position as a bullhorn for reform, Juanita's energy and 
             enthusiasm for advancing the cause of women's rights 
             propelled her into a leadership role from her earliest 
             days in Washington.
               Innovative ideas on this score seemed to emanate from 
             Juanita. She convened a first-of-its-kind meeting between 
             women Members of Congress and female Supreme Court 
             Justices to discuss women's issues. She carried the 
             Families First Agenda to more than 30 States for the first 
             time. She served as the first Democratic chair of the 
             Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. Through it all, 
             Juanita was masterful at marshaling well-known and 
             influential individuals to her cause without ever losing 
             sight of her goal, which was to help create a society 
             committed to justice, fairness, and equality.
               It is fitting that Juanita was such an outspoken and 
             effective advocate for women's rights, for perhaps her 
             greatest strength lay in her identity as a woman. She 
             demonstrated for all of us--men and women alike--that 
             being a Member of Congress, a mother, and a grandmother at 
             the same time was not merely a challenge. For Juanita, it 
             was a blessing to be embraced and cherished. As a 
             grandmother myself, I looked to her as a role model for 
             how to integrate the unique challenges of having a family 
             with the equally exciting responsibilities that come from 
             serving in Congress. Two of the most rewarding pleasures 
             in life are raising a family and working for the public, 
             and Juanita's life is solid proof that a dedicated and 
             forthright individual can accomplish both with poise, 
             grace, and dignity.
               I extend my deepest condolences to Congresswoman 
             Millender-McDonald's family. While this week my fellow 
             Members and I lost a trusted colleague, confidante, and 
             friend, their loss resonates more deeply than we can know. 
             Nonetheless, I know that I speak for all of Congress when 
             I say that Juanita Millender-McDonald was someone we 
             admired on a personal and professional level, someone 
             whose absence will leave a void within us, and someone 
             whose legacy of principled and determined leadership will 
             not be forgotten.

               Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of my 
             close and dear friend Juanita Millender-McDonald, whom I 
             have worked with and known for many, many years. I am 
             deeply saddened by the news of her untimely passing, and I 
             would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family, 
             friends, and constituents of this distinguished Member of 
             Congress.
               She came to Congress in 1996 and quickly moved up the 
             ranks among her peers. Her commitment to excellence led 
             her to achieve a series of political firsts, including 
             becoming the first African American woman to chair the 
             Committee on House Administration, the first African 
             American woman to serve on the Carson City Council; the 
             first to hold the position of chairwoman for two powerful 
             California State Assembly committees in her first term, 
             and the first African American woman to give the national 
             Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio 
             address. She spoke her mind and was not easily intimidated 
             by political pressure, regardless of from where it came.
               Furthermore, in the 110th Congress, in addition to her 
             chairwomanship, she served on eight full and sub-
             committees. One issue that the Congresswoman and I worked 
             on closely together was the protection of one's 
             fundamental and constitutional right to vote. Our combined 
             efforts on voting irregularities in Ohio ultimately led to 
             the introduction of H.R. 4141 in 2005, which would amend 
             the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
               She believed that there are no more important 
             responsibilities in the People's House of Representatives 
             than ensuring that the ability to vote in free and fair 
             elections is not compromised in any manner, which has not 
             always been the case. She was a visionary, an advocate for 
             justice for all Americans, and the embodiment of 
             determination.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald was a role model and 
             incredibly dedicated to the empowerment of women and youth 
             as the founder and executive director of the League of 
             African American Women, and the founder of the Young 
             Advocates, a political leadership-training program for 
             African Americans between the ages of 18 and 35.
               It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with a 
             distinguished woman of strength, integrity, and dynamism. 
             Not only will I miss her dearly, but she will also be 
             missed by the many people that she has touched throughout 
             her service in Congress.

               Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to enter into the 
             Congressional Record remarks on the life and work of the 
             Honorable Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. 
             Congresswoman Millender-McDonald served over six terms for 
             the 37th Congressional District as a Democrat in the U.S. 
             House of Representatives. She died of cancer on April 22, 
             2007 at age 68.
               Mrs. Millender-McDonald was born in Birmingham, AL, on 
             September 7, 1938. She always placed education and women's 
             rights in the forefront of her issues and values. After 
             graduating from the University of Redlands with an 
             undergraduate degree, she became a teacher for the Los 
             Angeles Unified School District. When she attained her 
             master's degree from California State University at Los 
             Angeles, she gave up her job as a teacher to be an editor 
             and writer for the school district. Her lifelong fight for 
             women's rights emerged when she became the manuscript 
             editor for ``Images,'' a textbook designed to enhance the 
             self-esteem of young women.
               Before running for local office, she was named the 
             director of gender equity programs for the Los Angeles 
             school district. In 1990, she was elected the first 
             African American woman to serve on the Carson City 
             Council, and in 1992 the first woman to represent the 55th 
             Assembly District in the California State Legislature. In 
             both roles she attacked the congestion and transportation 
             problems of California's infrastructure. As an 
             Assemblywoman, she helped push the Alameda Corridor, a 
             $1.8 billion public works project to lay new tracks and 
             build trenches and bridges. Her concern with 
             transportation continued in her national office.
               As a Member of the House, she was appointed to the 
             Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and its 
             Subcommittees on Aviation and Surface Transportation. She 
             also served on the Committee on Small Business and as one 
             of the ranking members on the Subcommittee on Tax, 
             Finance, and Exports. After 2 years in the House, she was 
             named the Region One Democratic Whip, and was honored with 
             the Watts Walk of Fame for her work on behalf of the 37th 
             District. In 2006, the Congresswoman became the first 
             African American chair of the House Administration 
             Committee.
               For her entire life, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-
             McDonald has fought for social justice. She was a leader 
             in election reform, women's rights, and transportation 
             solutions; she was a credit to her district and to all the 
             people she served as a Representative of the United 
             States. Her husband, five adult children, and five 
             grandchildren survive her. I commend her and her life's 
             work, and ask my colleagues to recognize her memory.

               Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
             extraordinary life of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-
             McDonald. I was saddened to learn of her passing after her 
             courageous battle with cancer, and my thoughts and prayers 
             are with her husband, James McDonald, Jr., their five 
             children, and five grandchildren--as well as the people of 
             the 37th District of California.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald served this Congress 
             honorably for over six terms, during which time she was a 
             tireless advocate for underserved communities in the 
             United States and around the globe. Among her many 
             accomplishments, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald secured 
             critical funding for counseling services for our 
             servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, 
             and was instrumental in the passage of important AIDS-
             prevention programs in Africa. The Congresswoman was also 
             a staunch advocate for the rights of women, minorities, 
             children, and the elderly.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald will also be remembered 
             as a preeminent leader and trailblazer. She was the first-
             ever African American or woman to chair the Committee on 
             House Administration where she worked hard to ensure that 
             all Americans would be guaranteed their rights at the 
             voting booth. As the Democratic chair of the Congressional 
             Caucus for Women's Issues, Congresswoman Millender-
             McDonald convened groundbreaking meetings with then-U.N. 
             Secretary General Kofi Annan to discuss global poverty 
             programs, as well as the New York Stock Exchange to find 
             ways to empower women in the workplace.
               Madam Speaker, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald led an 
             exemplary life of public service that included her most 
             recent position as the ``mayor of Capitol Hill.'' The 
             House community lost a true friend. May God rest her soul.

               Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
             profound sorrow over the sudden loss of my colleague 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald, who died of cancer on April 
             22, 2007. Juanita was a trailblazer throughout her life 
             and in the House of Representatives, and it was an honor 
             for me to serve alongside her.
               Born in Birmingham, AL, Juanita was a former teacher in 
             the Los Angeles public school system and served on the 
             Carson City Council and in the California State Assembly 
             before running for Congress in December 1995. Since then, 
             she had been elected to Congress with an overwhelming 
             amount of support from her constituents. The 37th District 
             of California should be proud that they had such a strong 
             and determined Representative in Juanita Millender-
             McDonald.
               Juanita spoke out against injustices both in our 
             country, especially on voting rights and election reform, 
             and abroad, including genocide in Cambodia and Darfur, 
             women's rights and human trafficking. Her hard work and 
             ability to lead earned Juanita the chairmanship of the 
             Committee on House Administration for the 110th Congress. 
             This appointment also represented another barrier she 
             broke through: Juanita Millender-McDonald was the first 
             African American woman to chair a House committee.
               Having faced many obstacles in my own life, I can truly 
             appreciate the barriers that Juanita knocked down in her 
             lifetime. I know her memory will live on forever, as will 
             the opportunities she helped create for those who follow 
             in her footsteps.
               Juanita is survived by her husband, James McDonald, Jr., 
             five children, and five grandchildren. May we keep her 
             loved ones in our thoughts and prayers as they endure this 
             difficult period.

               Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, the loss this week of 
             our dear friend and colleague Juanita Millender-McDonald 
             was a great blow to this institution and to the people of 
             California's 37th Congressional District.
               I extend my sincere condolences to her family during 
             this time of sorrow, and I hope that they find some 
             comfort in knowing how deeply loved and respected Juanita 
             was by her constituents and by her colleagues here in the 
             House of Representatives.
               We honor her life and her accomplishments this week. 
             Motivated by love of country, community and family, and 
             inspired by her struggles as an African American leader 
             and as a woman, she advocated for the rights of minorities 
             and women in this country and throughout the world.
               Juanita was no less dedicated to the more parochial 
             needs of her constituents and Southern California in 
             general. As the tributes from her committee colleagues 
             highlight, she was a respected and effective member of the 
             House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 
             securing billions of dollars for her region and her State 
             of California.
               She worked tirelessly to secure transportation 
             infrastructure investments, enhancing the economic 
             security of the region and improving the quality of life 
             for Los Angeles County residents. She will long be 
             remembered by Angelenos for her leading role in making 
             possible the construction of the historic Alameda 
             Corridor.
               She was also a woman of many firsts. In the California 
             State Assembly, Juanita became the first woman, in her 
             first term, to chair the powerful Insurance and Revenue 
             and Taxation Committees.
               I know how proud she was to be the first African 
             American woman to be named honorary curator of the Museum 
             of Latin American Art in Long Beach.
               Most recently, Juanita became the first African American 
             woman to hold the distinguished position of chair of the 
             powerful House Administration Committee in this 110th 
             Congress, overseeing the operations of the House of 
             Representatives.
               During her short term as chair, her hiring and 
             contracting practices within the House of Representatives 
             reflected her deep commitment to diversity. She was a 
             dedicated proponent of minority rights, and was the 
             founder and executive director of the League of African 
             American Women, comprised of 40 African American women's 
             groups.
               Juanita was also the founder of the Young Advocates, a 
             political leadership-training program for African 
             Americans between the ages of 18 and 35. She believed in 
             embracing our youth and fought to give young people hope 
             and opportunity for a better life. Juanita introduced 
             legislation directing the Secretary of Education to study 
             and report to Congress on the troubling dropout rate among 
             Latino, Native American, American Samoan and African 
             American high school students.
               Juanita will also be remembered as a strong advocate for 
             human rights around the globe, speaking out against 
             genocide in Cambodia, Darfur and other regions of the 
             world where she fought against injustice and inhumanity. 
             She worked with former Secretary of State Madeleine 
             Albright and Ambassador John Miller to address human 
             trafficking and in support of women's rights around the 
             world.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald was a dynamic Member of this 
             House, who sought to maximize her influence to better the 
             lives of her constituents, the residents of her county and 
             State, and all the people around the world in desperate 
             need of assistance.
               Juanita was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. And 
             she was a beloved colleague and friend who will truly be 
             missed.
               My husband Ed and I send our deep and sincere 
             condolences to her husband, James, her five children, and 
             five grandchildren.
               We will miss you Juanita.

               Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today 
             in support of H. Res. 328, expressing the condolences of 
             the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a strong advocate 
             for women and human rights, speaking out against injustice 
             in our country and around the world. She was the first 
             African American woman to chair a committee in Congress, 
             and will be remembered for her commitment and dedication 
             to ensuring that every American's vote counts.
               As cochair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's 
             Issues in the 107th Congress, Congresswoman Millender-
             McDonald worked tirelessly to ensure that women from both 
             sides of the aisle participated in the activities of the 
             caucus. She was a warm and open person, and was a true 
             mentor to me during my first term in Congress.
               On behalf of the families of Minnesota's Fourth 
             Congressional District, we extend our prayers and 
             sincerest condolences to her husband, Mr. James McDonald, 
             Jr., her children, and all of her family and friends. 
             Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald will be 
             remembered and honored in the highest regard.
               Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the 
             life of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald.

               Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise 
             today to honor Juanita Millender-McDonald. She was my 
             colleague and, more important, she was my friend.
               Juanita and I served together in the California State 
             Assembly and later in Congress. Each week we shared a 
             flight back and forth from Southern California and we grew 
             to be very good friends.
               In Congress, we partnered on the House Transportation 
             and Infrastructure Committee to address the unique and 
             pressing transportation needs of Southern California. We 
             joined together to bring a national focus to the 
             importance of Southern California's goods movement, 
             highway financing, and transit needs. As conferees for the 
             TEA-LU Act, together we worked hard to bring historic 
             levels of Federal transportation funding back to the 
             Southern California region.
               I am saddened by the loss of a great public servant and 
             colleague that fought for the needs of her constituents 
             and the Southern California region with grace, dedication, 
             and honor.
               I am also saddened by the loss of a dear personal 
             friend.
               Juanita was a kind and gentle soul who was called home 
             far too soon. Her wisdom and leadership in Congress will 
             be sorely missed. I join my colleagues in praying that she 
             is in a better place and that her family is able to find 
             peace in knowing the tremendous contributions she made to 
             her State and Nation during her years of public service.

               Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, on Sunday April 22, 2007, my 
             dear friend and colleague Congresswoman Juanita Millender-
             McDonald was called home.
               Juanita was a great woman who worked passionately for 
             justice and cared deeply for mankind. She was a phenomenal 
             Congresswoman, a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a 
             dutiful friend.
               She made time for her constituents--and didn't just 
             listen, but heard them, and spoke for them.
               Madam Speaker, Juanita began her tenure in Congress in 
             1996. She represented California's 37th Congressional 
             District and was a proud leader in the Congressional Black 
             Caucus where she championed the caucus' disparities agenda 
             to advance economic development, expand access and 
             affordability for health care, truly ``leave no child 
             behind'' in our education policy and the list goes on.
               She was a true legislator. For example, she authored 
             several pieces of legislation focusing on health care, 
             specifically woman's heart health. Legislation such as 
             H.R. 51, a bill to support National Wear Red Day, and H.R. 
             52 the American Heart Month which called on women to take 
             action and prevent heart disease were just a few examples 
             of her legislative priorities.
               Juanita was a trailblazer, becoming the first African 
             American woman to chair the House Administration Committee 
             for the 110th Congress. She was known as the mayor of 
             Capitol Hill; overseeing the operational and safety needs 
             of the Capitol compound.
               She was truly a jewel and a joy to have known. In 
             closing, I'm reminded of a passage from Proverbs 31:10 
             KJV, which reads: ``Who can find a virtuous woman? . . . 
             for her price is far above rubies.''
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a great woman, 
             epitomizing humanity, humility, and virtue. She will truly 
             be missed.

               Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, my presence on 
             this floor today is marked by a melancholy over the loss 
             of a friend and dear colleague. We have lost a good 
             friend, indeed a great friend, in Congresswoman Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald. I wish to extend with deepest 
             sincerity my sympathy and condolences to her family and to 
             her constituents of Long Beach, Compton, and Los Angeles.
               It is a common tradition in our society to look past the 
             loss of the physical being in order to best preserve and 
             cherish the personal being. However, the difficulty in 
             this emerges when we constantly find ourselves reveling in 
             the presence of that person as an everyday part of our 
             lives. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald will be so sorely 
             missed. She was and is still a part of our everyday lives. 
             It is hard to fathom the idea that we will never hear her 
             voice again--for her eloquence and passion in speaking, 
             and her unforgettable laughter, will ring in our ears. The 
             strength and tenacity that propelled her through her 
             life's work will continue to inspire us. As we continue 
             our work in her memory, I encourage all of us to remember 
             her as we walk through the hallowed Halls of Congress. If 
             we stop and listen, we will hear her footsteps echo in 
             these great marble corridors.
               Juanita's accomplishments and achievements in life were 
             many. But as we mourn the loss of her physical self, we 
             would do well to remember her compassionate self, her 
             temperate self, which encompassed an unfailing dedication 
             to public service. I most humbly thank Congresswoman 
             Millender-McDonald for her being an exemplary public 
             servant. I praise her for her stalwart fight against 
             cancer. At last, I am comforted by the fact that her truly 
             unconquerable soul is yet unvanquished.

               Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
             legacy and accomplishments of our recently passed 
             colleague and dear friend Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald's life epitomized one of a 
             true leader. Her deep commitment to those she served led 
             her to be the first African American woman to chair a 
             committee in Congress.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald's vision and leadership since 
             1996 will have a lasting impact on the House of 
             Representatives. Her fight for full voting participation 
             for all Americans and her tireless efforts for fair 
             elections in the United States have helped millions of 
             Americans and made our democracy stronger.
               Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in 
             paying respect to the family of Juanita Millender-McDonald 
             and in honoring her career in service to our country.
                                     ADJOURNMENT
               Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 
             328, I move that the House do now adjourn in memory of the 
             late Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and 
             40 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House 
             adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 
             10:30 a.m., for morning hour debate, as a further mark of 
             respect to the memory of the late Honorable Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald of California.
                                                Tuesday, April 24, 2007
               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the Chair recognizes the 
             gentleman from Maryland, the distinguished majority 
             leader, Mr. Hoyer.

               Mr. HOYER. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
               It is with deep sadness that I rise today to note the 
             passing of our colleague and friend, Congresswoman Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald, a dedicated public servant who worked 
             tirelessly on behalf of her constituents in California's 
             37th Congressional District and a devoted Representative 
             who cared deeply for those she served.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was someone who never 
             allowed the conventions of her surroundings to define the 
             role she would play. Because she understood that education 
             would unlock her budding potential as a community leader, 
             Juanita achieved something extraordinary by earning a 
             bachelor's degree from Redlands University at the age of 
             40, and a master's degree from California State University 
             at the age of 47.
               Because she recognized her duty to give back just a 
             little of what she had learned, Juanita made our 
             children's future her life's work by teaching math and 
             English in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
               Because she could not sit idly by when she had much to 
             offer, Juanita turned to public service in 1990, becoming 
             the first African American woman to serve on the Carson 
             City Council, the first African American woman to chair 
             two committees in the California State Assembly, and the 
             first African American woman to chair a full committee in 
             the U.S. Congress.
               And because she never let go of her abiding faith in the 
             fact that our tomorrows can be better than our todays, 
             Juanita will be remembered as a leader who inspired 
             action, drove progress, and labored diligently to improve 
             the lives of people throughout our Nation.
               Mr. Speaker, the advocates of equal rights for women and 
             minorities have lost a powerful voice in the U.S. 
             Congress, one that always sought to bring people together 
             by elevating the bonds that unite us as Americans and as 
             human beings. Children and the working poor have lost a 
             compassionate ally. Men and women seeking to participate 
             in their own governance have lost a steadfast guardian of 
             voting rights who fought to expand the reach of democracy, 
             not only in spirit but in practice as well. And defenders 
             of human rights have lost a champion of their cause who 
             never missed an opportunity to remind the free world of 
             its obligation to help alleviate suffering and restore 
             fundamental human dignity to those who have gone without 
             it for far too long, such as those suffering in Darfur. 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald personified what it means to 
             serve others before serving self.
               Mr. Speaker, I want Juanita's husband, James, and her 
             children and grandchildren to know that the thoughts and 
             prayers of a grateful Nation are with them as they mourn 
             their loss. We join them in their mourning but we also 
             join them in their joy of a life well lived.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the gentlewoman from New York 
             (Ms. Clarke) is recognized during morning hour debates for 
             2 minutes.

               Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to take a moment 
             today to express my heartfelt condolences to the family, 
             friends, and constituents of Congresswoman Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald and pay tribute to her legacy of 
             leadership and her profound impact on this institution, 
             the people she served and indeed our Nation.
               Chairwoman Millender-McDonald was a trailblazer who 
             paved the way for me and many others to be elected and to 
             serve in the Congress. I am ever mindful of the legacy of 
             integrity and excellence that she has imparted to each and 
             every one of us. I embrace it and can truly say that she 
             has touched my life. Though we were colleagues in this 
             body for a short while, we had many moments of 
             interactions that were truly empowering. She never missed 
             a moment to be encouraging and complimentary.
               Just a week ago or so before the chairwoman took her 
             leave from the Congress, we encountered one another in 
             this very Chamber. She inquired of me about how I was 
             doing. My response to her was, ``I'm just trying to keep 
             up with you, Madam Chair.'' She smiled her beautiful and 
             elegant smile and said to me, ``You're doing it, girl.''
               It has truly been a blessing for me as a freshman to 
             have been acknowledged and encouraged by this truly 
             remarkable, elegant, and extraordinary role model. The 
             legacy of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald will 
             never be forgotten. It has been imparted to all of us and 
             it will certainly always reside with me.
               God bless you, sister. Thank you for all you have given 
             to each and every one of us. Well done.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the gentlewoman from California 
             (Ms. Waters) is recognized during morning hour debates for 
             5 minutes.

               Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker and Members, I come to the floor 
             today to join with my colleagues in recognition of a 
             public servant who served in this august body, who served 
             in the California State Legislature, who served the city 
             of Compton as a city councilwoman, who served as head of 
             the NAACP in the city of Carson, who was a community 
             activist, a legislator and not only a committed servant 
             but a woman who was determined to make sure that she did 
             everything possible to bring about justice and equality, 
             not only for our people but for all people.
               I have known Juanita Millender-McDonald for over 35 
             years. I knew her before she was the president of the 
             Carson chapter of the NAACP. She contacted me when she 
             became the president and we worked on some projects 
             together. We went on to work on many projects together. 
             When my son ran for the California State Legislature, she 
             was involved with his campaign. We have interacted in so 
             many ways for such a long period of time.
               We have been involved in some of the same kind of issues 
             over the years. I can recall, it was not so many years ago 
             when it was revealed that perhaps our Government had known 
             about drugs that were being transported from Nicaragua 
             into South Central Los Angeles, and, of course, that 
             revelation kicked off a firestorm in this country. Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald invited the head of the CIA to come to 
             South Central Los Angeles to speak to the people and tell 
             them what he knew about the Contras and about the 
             Sandinistas and our involvement with the drug trade. Did 
             this Government turn a blind eye while drugs were being 
             transported across our borders?
               It was an unusual event. Never had the head of the CIA 
             been to a community to speak with the people, and people 
             were everywhere. The FBI, the CIA, everybody was standing 
             on roofs all over the place. It was a spectacular event. 
             But that was her style.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald and I not only worked on that 
             issue in different ways. We have been involved in trying 
             to save Martin Luther King Hospital for a number of years 
             now. This has been a tough battle. This hospital was born 
             out of the ashes of the insurrection of 1965 in South Los 
             Angeles. This is an institution that is so very much 
             needed but is so at risk at this point. This institution 
             has been threatened by the Federal Government to withdraw 
             all of its Federal funds and we have fought day in and day 
             out, month in and month out, year in and year out to 
             maintain the funding from the Federal Government so that 
             the hospital could stay there for people who need it so 
             desperately.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald had organized many meetings. 
             She had interacted not only with CMS and the Federal 
             Government but all of the county officials. Time after 
             time we sat before the board of supervisors, imploring 
             them to do everything that they could to straighten out 
             the problems at Martin Luther King Hospital, to work 
             harder, to make sure there was the management and the 
             supervision.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald cared about health issues. 
             Not only was she involved with trying to save Martin 
             Luther King Hospital, she organized an AIDS walk that took 
             place every year. She and her women's group organized and 
             each year they went to one of the stadiums in the South 
             Los Angeles area and they held their walk. It got a lot of 
             attention, but this was her way of saying to the 
             community, not only do I care about AIDS, I'm willing to 
             put some quality time and attention on this issue. I want 
             you to get tested. I want you to get involved in learning 
             how you can protect yourself from being infected with HIV/
             AIDS. And so it is just a small example of the care and 
             commitment that she has demonstrated over the years, 
             whether we talk about health care or education or voting 
             rights that she was so very much involved in before she 
             took her leave of absence.
               She cared about justice. She cared that this democracy 
             would truly act in ways that supported the proposition 
             that everybody has the right to a decent quality of life. 
             Everybody must be protected by the Constitution of the 
             United States of America. Everybody must enjoy the 
             benefits of living in this great country. And she reached 
             beyond with care for the mother continent of Africa. She 
             was involved in those issues, also.
               And so I stand here today to say Juanita Millender-
             McDonald has taken her place in history and she did it her 
             way. Sometimes we did it different ways, but she knew what 
             she was doing and why she was doing it the way that she 
             did. Her husband can be proud. Her children can be proud. 
             And we can all be proud that we had the blessing and the 
             opportunity to live and work with a woman of substance, a 
             woman who cared, a woman who gave of herself and a woman 
             who left us with dignity, a woman who never complained, a 
             woman who never said, I feel bad, I have pain, I can't do 
             it today. She worked right up until she took a leave of 
             absence just a few days ago.
               I am proud to stand here and say that I knew her, that I 
             worked with her, that I have appreciated everything that 
             she has contributed to our great society.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al 
             Green) is recognized during morning hour debates for 1 
             minute.

               Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first allow me to 
             please say amen to the words of the Honorable Maxine 
             Waters.
               Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the superlative life of 
             a superb woman, the Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald. 
             Indeed, she was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a 
             superior scholar, a preeminent educator, and a powerful 
             legislator.
               Notwithstanding all of this, Mr. Speaker, she had a 
             positive air and a special flair. She was a pillar of 
             probity. Her integrity was beyond reproach. She was a 
             repository of respect. Her mere presence commanded 
             respect. She was the queen of self-esteem. She was comely, 
             courtly, and stately with a positive personality.
               We were truly blessed to have her among us, she will 
             surely be missed by us, and I thank God for her.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. 
             Davis) is recognized during morning hour debates for 3 
             minutes.

               Mr. DAVIS of Alabama. I thank the Chair for recognizing 
             me.
               Members of the House, we tend to use the term ``friend'' 
             very liberally in this institution. We often apply it to 
             anyone with whom we have had more than a casual or passing 
             conversation. Juanita Millender-McDonald was someone that 
             I genuinely viewed as a friend, not in the way the Members 
             of the House use that term but in the way that ordinary 
             people who are watching this on television use it.
               There were a lot of days when we sat on this floor and 
             we talked together. There were a lot of days when we sat 
             on this floor and we exchanged confidences. There were a 
             lot of days when we sat on this floor and I spoke to her 
             of my aspirations and my goals and she spoke to me of 
             hers. There were times when I spoke of my family and she 
             spoke of her abiding, continuing faith in her family.
               Many people do not realize because she did not speak of 
             it a great deal, but Juanita was from Birmingham, AL, and 
             it is a tragedy that a black woman born in 1937 or 1938 
             felt that she had to leave the State of Alabama to reach 
             her full promise. Juanita did. And it was my State's loss. 
             She went to the State of California, and so many of my 
             colleagues have told the story of her wonderful ascension 
             and her wonderful career there. But she always retained 
             memories of growing up in the South. She always retained 
             memories of growing up in a segregated environment. And 
             much of her family remains there.
               Another thing that was not widely known, Juanita's 
             brother, Shelly Millender, was a long-time radio talk show 
             host in the city of Birmingham and I have had a long-time 
             attachment to him. When I ran for this job for the first 
             time, there were very few people who would welcome me onto 
             their programs or into their forums. The very first one to 
             do so was Shelly Millender. He did it constantly and I 
             have always appreciated that.
               Juanita's nephew, Shelly, Jr., has become a friend of 
             mine and I always enjoyed telling her how proud she should 
             be of him and how well he conducts himself in the city of 
             Birmingham.
               So, Mr. Speaker, what I want to say today, Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald was a phenomenally elegant, restrained 
             and dignified woman. She richly deserved the title Madam 
             Chairwoman that she was just beginning to wear so well, 
             and I will remember my last conversation with her sitting 
             just off this floor. It was not uncommon for us to gather 
             and talk about what was going on as we left the floor. I 
             remember her telling me during that conversation how much 
             she looked forward to her work on the House Administration 
             Committee. I remember her telling me how much she looked 
             forward to several hearings that were upcoming. She never 
             had the chance to do that which she talked about that day. 
             But I will always remember her confidence, her courage, 
             and her decency. And as she and her family watch and as 
             they prepare for God to take her back to her home in 
             heaven, know that the time she spent here was well served 
             and the legacy that she left honors her native State of 
             Alabama, my State, and the State she adopted and served so 
             ably, California.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
             Jackson) is recognized during morning hour debates for 3 
             minutes.

               Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to send 
             condolences to the family of my colleague, Chairwoman 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald, and let them know that they 
             are in my heart and in my prayers. I also want to send 
             condolences to the people of the 37th Congressional 
             District of California who placed their faith and trust in 
             the strong, dedicated, and elegant Juanita Millender-
             McDonald.
               You have heard from some of my colleagues about the many 
             firsts that Juanita achieved here in the Congress of the 
             United States, including serving as the first African 
             American woman to chair a full committee in the U.S. House 
             of Representatives. But I just want to take a moment to 
             reflect upon an aspect of her strength that was not 
             readily apparent but clearly on display long before she 
             came to Congress. While some of us have focused on the 
             life that she lived, I want to talk about the Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald who did not believe in self-pity but 
             believed in using what she had to make a difference.
               While many of my colleagues will come to this mike and 
             talk about the life that she lived and her service to a 
             grateful Nation, Juanita Millender-McDonald taught us 
             something about character in her transition. No self-pity. 
             Not a single Member of Congress knew that Juanita was 
             ailing and that her ailment was terminal. Juanita did not 
             want to walk around the House of Representatives and have 
             Members of Congress feeling pity for her or feeling sad 
             for her or making special speeches or concessions to her. 
             She wanted all of us to recognize that we live our lives 
             as if life is certain and death is uncertain, when in 
             reality it is death that is certain and life that is 
             uncertain. And, therefore, each of us is under an 
             obligation to do the very best that we can with the time 
             that God has given us on this Earth and in this world.
               The Bible talks about serving this present age. ``O may 
             all my powers be engaged to do my Master's will.'' Clearly 
             the type of ailment that ailed our colleague and our close 
             and dear friend, Juanita Millender-McDonald, was not the 
             kind of ailment that strikes one suddenly. She knew about 
             it for quite some time and chose not to share it with 
             Members of Congress. That is a statement about her 
             dignity. It is a statement about her commitment to public 
             service. It is a statement about character. And it is a 
             statement about her strength under extraordinarily life-
             threatening odds.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald was married, she raised five 
             children, and then went to college to launch an impressive 
             and inspiring career at an age when many people start 
             slowing down. She combined higher education with her 
             native Alabama wisdom and she set out to show women and 
             men in life and in death that no matter where you came 
             from, you can go where you want to go. She was a living 
             example of the power of not only keeping your eyes on the 
             prize but putting in the old-fashioned elbow grease to 
             earn it.
               No self-pity. She didn't want people looking down on her 
             or feeling bad about her or seeing her physical ailments. 
             No self-pity. She possessed the necessary tough-mindedness 
             combined with the tenderheartedness that Dr. Martin Luther 
             King, Jr., talked about. She understood, and Dr. King 
             wrote:

               There is little hope for us until we become tough-minded 
             enough to break loose from the shackles of prejudice, 
             half-truths and downright ignorance. The shape of the 
             world today does not permit us the luxury of soft-
             mindedness. A nation or civilization that continues to 
             produce soft-minded men and women purchases its own 
             spiritual death on an installment plan.

               I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve with 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald, and once again I send my 
             condolences to those who loved her. The House and the 
             Nation have lost a dedicated public servant and someone 
             who in life and death has taught us the meaning of 
             character.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
             Lewis) is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 
             minutes.

               Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to 
             honor one of our colleagues, Representative Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald of the 37th District of California.
               Representative McDonald was an extraordinary woman. She 
             was born in Birmingham, AL, at a time of racial violence 
             and overt displays of the most open and systematic forms 
             of racism. But she did not let that hold her down or hold 
             her back. She went to college in California, she became a 
             teacher in the Los Angeles school system, and throughout 
             her career she used education as an instrument for change.
               She was a great teacher, and she used the power of 
             knowledge and her commitment to human understanding to 
             break down institutional barriers and to reach across the 
             aisle.
               I think that is why she made so many strides as a Member 
             of Congress. She knew gaining mutual understanding was the 
             only way to build coalitions and lay all differences 
             aside.
               That's why her creativity and skillful leadership became 
             legendary. She was the first Democrat to chair the 
             Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues and she used that 
             power to build a coalition between the women of the 
             Supreme Court and the women of Congress. She knew the 
             differences in their roles as public servants didn't 
             matter. She believed all women in government shared a 
             common bond.
               She took concerned women of Congress to meet delegates 
             to the United Nations to unify the global struggle against 
             the exploitation of women and girls.
               She developed the first National Teen Dating Violence 
             Week as a platform for all women to speak out against a 
             common problem--violence against teen girls. And she was 
             the first Member to bring the head of the CIA to the city 
             of Watts to address long-standing, widespread allegations 
             of drug dumping in that community.
               And, of course, she was the first African American to 
             chair a full committee, the Committee on House 
             Administration. This committee oversees some of the great 
             educational institutions of our Nation--the Library of 
             Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, the Government 
             Printing Office, and the Capitol Fine Arts Board.
               We can only dream about what this great teacher would 
             have done in this capacity. I know she would have used the 
             power of knowledge and education as an instrument of 
             change.
               But beyond that, Juanita Millender-McDonald was an 
             elegant lady. She may have moved to California, but she 
             never lost her southern charm. She was always a lady--as 
             tough as steel but as sweet as honey. She was more than a 
             colleague. She was our sister, our friend. Juanita was a 
             sharp dresser, and sometimes she would dress to kill. She 
             was beautiful on the outside and on the inside. She had a 
             sweet, sweet spirit, and she will be deeply missed.
               Sometimes when she would see me, she would call me Mr. 
             Civil Rights. And sometimes when she would see Sanford 
             Bishop, David Scott and me together, she would say, ``What 
             are you Georgia boys doing? What are you up to?''
               And when she was planning programs in her district, she 
             would stop by to see members of the Georgia delegation and 
             tell us she needed a box of peanuts. And we would all ante 
             up and make those peanuts available to her.
               It is so unreal. It is so unbelievable that we will not 
             see her on the floor of this Chamber again. Life is short, 
             too short. We are here today, and we're gone tomorrow, but 
             her spirit and her memory will live on for all of us.
               With the passing of Congresswoman McDonald, it seems the 
             world is a little darker. It seems that a light has gone 
             out. Maybe here in this Chamber and on this Earth a light 
             has gone out. But in another part of the universe Juanita 
             is shining brighter than ever before.

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
             Meeks) is recognized during morning hour debates for 2 
             minutes.

               Mr. MEEKS of New York. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
               I had to come to the floor today in remembrance of a 
             phenomenal woman, Juanita Millender-McDonald. My heart is 
             pained and it is unbelievable that we will not see this 
             great woman, at least not on this planet, again. She was a 
             woman that anytime that you saw her, she stood with such 
             dignity and grace. She was a woman who was honest. I can 
             recall when I would go to her and ask her opinion on 
             various issues. She wouldn't tell me what I wanted to 
             hear. She would tell me what I needed to hear. She would 
             tell me what was indeed right. Being the father of three 
             daughters, I can't help but say, Thank you, Juanita. Thank 
             you for being the pioneer that you were. Thank you for 
             blazing a trail, a trail that's so wide for women, all 
             women, like my three young daughters, so that they can 
             walk now on that path, so that they now can have 
             opportunities that were denied others because you have 
             fought the fight.
               In the church that I come from, the question is, have 
             you helped someone, and the song says, ``If you've helped 
             someone, then your living shall not be in vain.''
               In the life story of Juanita Millender-McDonald, she has 
             indeed helped a whole lot of somebodies and she has made 
             life better for a lot of children yet unborn. She has made 
             history. And in the camera of history and in the camera of 
             life of Juanita Millender-McDonald, it will be recorded 
             that she was a soldier in this thing we call life, and she 
             was a leader for all human beings but in particular to 
             make sure that for women, their tomorrow is better than 
             their yesterday or today.
               Juanita, we will miss you, and we know that as you see 
             the good Lord, He's saying, ``Well done, Juanita. Job well 
             done.''

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the gentleman from West Virginia 
             (Mr. Rahall) is recognized during morning hour debates for 
             4 minutes.

               Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in 
             the words of mourning and celebration of the life of our 
             late colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald. She was a 
             leader on many issues as we have heard stated already. And 
             foremost among those in my opinion was her leadership and 
             her vision as the first African American female chairman 
             of a major committee here on Capitol Hill. She had a plan 
             for how this City on a Hill would operate in a smoother 
             and more efficient manner. And while she may not be with 
             us to see that vision carried out, it is my hope that we 
             will carry it out in memory of her. So to her husband and 
             to her children and to her grandchildren, I hope that her 
             memories will serve as a source of inner strength, 
             inspiration, courage, and love for the rest of their 
             lives. . . .

               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the 
             House of January 4, 2007, the gentleman from Louisiana 
             (Mr. Jefferson) is recognized during morning hour debates 
             for 2\1/2\ minutes.

               Mr. JEFFERSON. I thank the Chair.
               The 17th century poet John Donne speaks to death thusly: 
             ``Death be not proud,'' he says, ``though some have called 
             you mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so. And those 
             thou thinkest thy doth overthrow die not, poor death. A 
             short sleep past, we wake eternally and death shall be no 
             more.''
               This is the confidence in her Christian faith with which 
             our sister, Juanita Millender-McDonald, lived and with 
             which she passed from this earth. This is what she meant 
             when she told her family that she was going home. This is 
             what we saw and at which we marveled as we observed her 
             peace on display in the final hours that she worked 
             amongst us, giving not a hint of distress or 
             brokenheartedness or loss of confidence. Her grace and 
             elegance in her final months and years when she knew well 
             her earthly fate is a lesson in how to live and how to 
             leave this life for those of us who still live on this 
             side.
               Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald was serious about 
             her work. I had the pleasure of finding this out firsthand 
             when I was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 
             Foundation and Juanita was chair of the CBCF's annual 
             legislative weekend. She helped to organize this event, 
             which drew over 40,000 African American leaders to 
             Washington, with great attention to detail, taxing all of 
             us--sometimes we thought then too much--to meet our 
             responsibilities and on time. But the result was a 
             magnificent event heralded by all of us as one of our very 
             best. This House got only a glimpse of her profound 
             organizational skills as she had the chance to serve us 
             only a short time in her post as chair of the Committee on 
             House Administration. It would have been wonderful for we 
             who work here and for our Nation if we had been privileged 
             to see more.
               As it is now, we welcome our sister to her rest in the 
             bosom of her Lord and we pray for comfort and peace for 
             James, her husband, and their five children and 
             grandchildren, and we thank her for her friendship and 
             commitment to the House, to her constituents, and to her 
             country. She served us proudly and well, and she will be 
             well remembered.

                                       PRAYER
               The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered 
             the following prayer:
               In the end it is faith that proves victorious. Days come 
             and go. Wars and famine cry out for justice, charity and 
             peace. It is faith which helps us all respond to every 
             call. It is faith that strengthens Your people for the 
             struggle and, in the end, brings promise beyond the 
             sacrifice.
               Lord God, as faith inspired the apostles and martyrs and 
             all who have gone before us, let living faith now find 
             expression in us through acts of love that will excite 
             hope, especially in the hearts of the poor and the 
             fragile.
               Help the Members of Congress and all Americans make 
             decisions today that will build a justice that will not 
             fail tomorrow. With faith, enable them to set aside goods 
             of the present moment in the hope of attaining eternal 
             good. With faith, it is possible to hope to change the 
             present for the future.
               We pray for the Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald and 
             all Your servants who have served You and Your people in 
             public service. With faith, they can leave this place and 
             find in You eternal reward. The free children of God are 
             always on the move, both now and forever.
               Amen.

                               MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
               A message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its 
             clerks, announced that the Senate agreed to the following 
             resolution:
                                     S. Res. 165
               Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
             and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
             Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, late a 
             Representative from the State of California.
               Resolved, That the Secretary communicate these 
             resolutions to the House of Representatives and transmit 
             an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the deceased.
               Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns or recesses 
             today, it stand adjourned or recessed as a further mark of 
             respect to the memory of the late Representative.
                                               Thursday, April 26, 2007
               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the 
             House, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) is 
             recognized for 5 minutes.

               Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, on Monday we will lay to rest 
             a truly gifted friend, colleague, and public servant, the 
             Representative from California's 37th Congressional 
             District, Juanita Millender-McDonald. So today I would 
             like to pay tribute to her legacy.
               In 1997 Glamour magazine wisely named Congresswoman 
             Millender-McDonald as ``one of 11 women who will change 
             the world.'' And even though she has left us before her 
             time, her very significant and meaningful impact on the 
             world is known.
               Although Congresswoman Millender-McDonald has crossed 
             over, her actions will continue to reverberate for us and 
             for generations yet unborn.
               We both came to the Congress as a result of special 
             elections in 1996. She came on March 25 and I was sworn in 
             on April 26. As a close colleague, I was proud to see her 
             take the helm of the House Administration Committee, which 
             deemed her the ``mayor of Capitol Hill.'' And, indeed, she 
             was. In fact, she was the first African American woman to 
             chair a House Committee.
               Further, within this committee, she was a leader in 
             addressing issues of voting irregularities and voter 
             disenfranchisement.
               I also worked closely with her on the House 
             Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for 11 years. 
             And most recently, as Congress worked with the passage of 
             the SAFETEA-LU bill, a major piece of legislation 
             addressing highways, transit, and other public 
             legislation, she was indeed a strong advocate for her 
             district and for her State.
               When I served as chairman of the Congressional Black 
             Caucus, I asked her to serve as the chairperson of the 
             Annual Legislative Weekend, and she did so with class.
               The year 2003, when she served as head of the Annual 
             Legislative Weekend, was a very difficult year for all of 
             us. The caucus had several issues to confront: Widespread 
             unemployment, the war in Iraq, and coping with the 
             negative effects of the Bush administration policies. 
             Still, amidst these tough times, she led a 4-day 
             conference entitled, ``Collective Leadership--Challenging 
             a Bold New World.''
               That conference reenergized our constituencies to fight 
             for that better world that she fought for every day.
               Congresswoman Millender-McDonald changed the world by 
             being a pioneer, and she paved a path for many to follow. 
             She was the first African American woman to serve on the 
             Carson City Council. She was the first to hold the 
             position of chairperson of two very powerful California 
             State Assembly committees, Insurance and Revenue and 
             Taxation, in her first term.
               Here in Washington she gave a voice to the voiceless by 
             speaking out against genocide in Cambodia, Darfur, and 
             other regions of the world. She also addressed global HIV/
             AIDS, which was a major issue for her, and she organized 
             an annual 5K AIDS walk in her district.
               During the 108th Congress, she drafted language that was 
             incorporated into the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, 
             Tuberculosis and Malaria Act, which authorized funding to 
             reduce mother-to-child transmissions of HIV/AIDS and gave 
             priority in awarding of funds to organizations focused on 
             family survival.
               In the 109th Congress, she introduced legislation to 
             amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 that would 
             establish a network of pediatric centers in certain 
             developing countries to provide treatment and care for 
             children with HIV/AIDS. She fought tirelessly for women's 
             rights and empowering women to be all that they can be.
               As the first Democratic chair of the Congressional 
             Democratic Caucus for Women's Issues, she led the caucus 
             on two groundbreaking meetings, the first with U.N. 
             Secretary General Kofi Annan to talk about the plight of 
             women globally, and another with the chairman of the New 
             York Stock Exchange to develop strategies for increasing 
             women's investments and net worth.
               She also worked to give women who served our country in 
             uniform during wartime the recognition which they richly 
             deserved. In this regard, she initiated the first annual 
             Memorial Day tribute to women in the military at the 
             Women's Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, and led 
             the fight to secure $15 million for the maintenance of 
             that memorial.
               Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald did indeed 
             change the world, and she will not be forgotten. My 
             prayers go out to her husband and her family.
                                                   Tuesday, May 1, 2007
             APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE TO ATTEND FUNERAL 
                  OF THE LATE HONORABLE JUANITA MILLENDER-Mc DONALD
               The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 
             328, and the order of the House of January 4, 2007, the 
             Chair announces the Speaker's appointment of the following 
             Members of the House to the committee to attend the 
             funeral of the late Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald:
               The gentleman from California, Mr. Stark
               The gentlewoman from California, Ms. Pelosi, and the 
             members of the California delegation:
               Mr. George Miller
               Mr. Waxman
               Mr. Lewis
               Mr. Dreier
               Mr. Hunter
               Mr. Lantos
               Mr. Berman
               Mr. Gallegly
               Mr. Herger
               Mr. Rohrabacher
               Mr. Doolittle
               Ms. Waters
               Mr. Becerra
               Mr. Calvert
               Ms. Eshoo
               Mr. Filner
               Mr. McKeon
               Ms. Roybal-Allard
               Mr. Royce
               Ms. Woolsey
               Mr. Farr
               Ms. Zoe Lofgren
               Mr. Radanovich
               Mr. Sherman
               Ms. Loretta Sanchez
               Mrs. Tauscher
               Mrs. Capps
               Mrs. Bono
               Ms. Lee
               Mr. Gary G. Miller
               Mrs. Napolitano
               Mr. Thompson
               Mr. Baca
               Ms. Harman
               Mrs. Davis
               Mr. Honda
               Mr. Issa
               Mr. Schiff
               Ms. Solis
               Ms. Watson
               Mr. Cardoza
               Mr. Nunes
               Ms. Linda T. Sanchez
               Mr. Daniel E. Lungren
               Mr. Costa
               Ms. Matsui
               Mr. Campbell
               Mr. Bilbray
               Mr. McCarthy
               Mr. McNerney, and
               Mr. Conyers, Michigan
               Mr. Lewis, Georgia
               Mr. Faleomavaega, American Samoa
               Mr. McDermott, Washington
               Ms. Norton, District of Columbia
               Mr. Jefferson, Louisiana
               Mr. Bishop, Georgia
               Ms. Corrine Brown, Florida
               Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Texas
               Mr. Scott, Virginia
               Mr. Watt, North Carolina
               Mr. Thompson, Mississippi
               Ms. Jackson-Lee, Texas
               Mr. Cummings, Maryland
               Mr. Hinojosa, Texas
               Ms. Kilpatrick, Michigan
               Mr. Kucinich, Ohio
               Mr. Meeks, New York
               Ms. Berkley, Nevada
               Mr. Gonzalez, Texas
               Mr. Holt, New Jersey
               Mrs. Jones, Ohio
               Mr. Davis, Alabama
               Mr. Meek, Florida
               Mr. Scott, Georgia
               Mr. Butterfield, North Carolina
               Mr. Cleaver, Missouri
               Mr. Al Green, Texas
               Ms. Moore, Wisconsin
               Ms. Clarke, New York
               Mr. Ellison, Minnesota
               Mr. Johnson, Georgia

               Mr. CONYERS. . . . We celebrated the life yesterday of 
             our dearest colleague Juanita Millender-McDonald as she 
             was memorialized in Los Angeles. What a dynamic, unusual, 
             amazing circumstance of a young girl from Alabama 
             transporting herself to the first elected chairwoman of 
             color of the House Administration Committee. . . .
                                                Wednesday, May 16, 2007
               Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that 
             I rise today to honor the memory of former California 
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald and her lifetime 
             of dedication to the people of California and the United 
             States. I was deeply saddened to learn our colleague 
             passed away so suddenly. We have not only lost a wonderful 
             friend but an individual who during her lifetime made 
             countless contributions toward the betterment of our 
             Nation.
               A native of Alabama--there is some dispute as to whether 
             she was born in Gee's Bend or Birmingham--Juanita's ties 
             to her home State remained strong throughout her life. In 
             fact, just a few short years ago, she was extremely 
             involved with her family reunion which was held in 
             Monroeville, in Alabama's First District. She was always 
             so very proud of her family and naturally, they are so 
             very proud of her.
               Juanita began her career as a teacher in Los Angeles. 
             She was also the editor-writer for the Los Angeles Unified 
             School District and worked as a manuscript editor for 
             ``Images,'' a textbook designed to enhance the self-esteem 
             of young women. She began her political career in 1990, 
             when she was elected to the Carson City Council. Just 2 
             years later, she was elected to the California State 
             Assembly.
               In 1996, Juanita was elected to represent the 37th 
             District of California in the U.S. House of 
             Representatives. Throughout her six* terms, she was a 
             champion of election reform and women's health issues. She 
             made history in the 110th Congress when she was named 
             chairwoman of the House Administration Committee becoming 
             the first African American woman to chair a House 
             committee.
               *Congresswoman Millender-McDonald had just started her 
             seventh term.
               We are privileged to have known and worked with such a 
             passionate and loyal individual. Juanita will be greatly 
             missed and always remembered. Madam Speaker, I ask my 
             colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated public 
             servant.
               Juanita Millender-McDonald will be deeply missed by her 
             family--her husband, James McDonald Jr., her five 
             children, and five grandchildren--as well as the countless 
             friends she leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are 
             with them all at this difficult time.
                              Proceedings in the Senate
                                                 Monday, April 23, 2007
                                SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
                  SENATE RESOLUTION 165--RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF 
              REPRESENTATIVE JUANITA MILLENDER-Mc DONALD, OF CALIFORNIA
               Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Feinstein, 
             Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Allard, Mr. 
             Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Biden, Mr. Bingaman, 
             Mr. Bond, Mr. Brown, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Burr, 
             Mr. Byrd, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, 
             Mr. Chambliss, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Cochran, Mr. 
             Coleman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Corker, Mr. Cornyn, 
             Mr. Craig, Mr. Crapo, Mr. DeMint, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. Dole, Mr. 
             Domenici, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Enzi, 
             Mr. Feingold, Mr. Graham, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. 
             Hagel, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Hatch, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, 
             Mr. Inouye, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
             Kerry, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. 
             Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. 
             Lincoln, Mr. Lott, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Martinez, Mr. McCain, 
             Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Murkowski, 
             Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Nelson of 
             Nebraska, Mr. Obama, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr. Roberts, Mr. 
             Rockefeller, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schumer, Mr. 
             Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Specter, 
             Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Sununu, Mr. Tester, Mr. 
             Thomas, Mr. Thune, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Warner, 
             Mr. Webb, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the 
             following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
                                     S. Res. 165
               Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
             and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
             Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, late a 
             Representative from the State of California.
               Resolved, That the Secretary communicate these 
             resolutions to the House of Representatives and transmit 
             an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the deceased.
               Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns or recesses 
             today, it stand adjourned or recessed as a further mark of 
             respect to the memory of the late Representative.

               Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent 
             that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of 
             S. Res. 165, submitted earlier today.

               The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the 
             resolution by title.
               The legislative clerk read as follows:

               A resolution (S. Res. 165) relative to the death of 
             Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald, of California.

               There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to 
             consider the resolution.

               Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent 
             that the resolution be agreed to; that the motion to 
             reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statements 
             relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

               The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so 
             ordered.
               The resolution (S. Res. 165) was agreed to.

                         ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. TOMORROW
               Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, if there is no further 
             business today, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
             stand adjourned under the provisions of S. Res. 165 as a 
             further mark of respect to the memory of the late 
             Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald.
               There being no objection, the Senate, at 5:26 p.m., 
             adjourned until Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 10 a.m.
                                                Tuesday, April 24, 2007
               Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I honor the memory of 
             Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald, a kind-hearted 
             woman whose remarkable life touched so many of us.
               Juanita was a loving mother, and a dedicated public 
             servant who approached her work with an upbeat attitude 
             and can-do spirit that was an inspiration to us all.
               Her passing is a tragic loss for California, the 37th 
             Congressional District she so ably represented, and the 
             many Members of Congress with whom she has worked over the 
             years.
               Juanita's career broke through so many barriers for 
             women and African Americans. Her rise as the first African 
             American woman to chair a congressional committee was only 
             the latest of many firsts in her career.
               In her over six terms of service in the House of 
             Representatives, she fought valiantly for the rights of 
             women, for the security of our Nation, and for the 
             protection of human rights across our Nation and the 
             world.
               Juanita's efforts to reach across the aisle made her one 
             of the most effective Members of Congress, but it was her 
             bold initiatives that embodied the courage with which she 
             followed her convictions.
               In her first year in Congress, Juanita immediately 
             demanded the attention of the Nation when she brought 
             then-CIA director John Deutsch to Watts to address a 
             newspaper report that the CIA was using profits from 
             domestic crack-cocaine sales to fund CIA-backed Contras in 
             Nicaragua.
               Juanita's commitment to the health of our communities 
             has been profound, and her efforts addressed the needs not 
             only of her constituents, but to the victims of disease 
             around the world.
               She led the charge to enact the Mother-to-Child HIV/AIDS 
             Transmission Act that has become the foundation of 
             President Bush's $15 billion African AIDS initiative. For 
             nearly a decade, Juanita coordinated the annual AIDS Walk 
             in her district to help continue to inform the community 
             and raise awareness of this deadly disease.
               During her tenure as the ranking member of the Committee 
             on House Administration, Juanita fought to ensure that 
             every ballot that is cast is counted, and that all of the 
             citizens of our country would know their voting rights.
               Juanita has been inspiring young women since the 
             beginning of her career as an educator in California, when 
             she served the Los Angeles Unified School District as a 
             career counselor and edited ``Images,'' a State textbook 
             which encouraged young women to pursue non-traditional 
             careers.
               As the Democratic chair of the Congressional Caucus for 
             Women's Issues, she sought to address the plight of women 
             globally, brought together the women of Congress with the 
             first female Supreme Court Justices to discuss issues 
             important to women across the Nation, and sought 
             recognition for the women in uniform who have served our 
             country in times of war with the first annual Memorial Day 
             Tribute to Women in the Military at the Arlington National 
             Cemetery's Women's Memorial.
               On so many issues, I have been fortunate enough to 
             consider Juanita a valuable ally and friend, but I will 
             especially miss her work as a leading voice on the House 
             Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As the 
             Representative of a district with two of the busiest ports 
             in the United States, Juanita was a passionate supporter 
             of the effort to ensure that the movement of goods is 
             safe, secure, and efficient.
               Through these past years, Juanita and I worked together 
             to keep the C-17 production line from being mothballed by 
             President Bush and furloughing hundreds of employees.
               I know that Juanita's presence will be sorely missed by 
             communities which she served so tirelessly. Today I send 
             my sincere condolences to her husband James, her five 
             children, her staff, and all those who knew and loved her. 
             Together we will continue her important work.

                               MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
               At 2:25 p.m., a message from the House of 
             Representatives, delivered by Ms. Niland, one of its 
             reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the 
             following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of 
             the Senate: . . .
               The message further announced that the House has agreed 
             to the following resolution:

               H. Res. 328. Resolution relative to the death of the 
             Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, a Representative 
             from the State of California.
?

                                           

                                    Congresswoman

                             Juanita Millender-McDonald

             September 7, 1938-April 21, 2007

                                    Proverbs 31:8

              Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for 
                        the rights of all who are destitute.

             Monday, April 30th, 2007

             12:00 p.m.

             Second Baptist Church

                                2412 Griffith Avenue

                               Los Angeles, California

                          A Tribute to a Woman of Integrity
               Juanita Millender-McDonald was the youngest of five 
             children born to the Reverend Shelly and Everlina Dortch 
             Millender on September 7, 1938, in Birmingham, Alabama. As 
             the great-granddaughter and granddaughter of A.M.E. 
             ministers and the daughter of a Baptist minister, her 
             life's work would be deeply rooted in faith and guided by 
             high moral values. Her accomplishments, iron clad 
             commitment and generosity were simply a manifestation of 
             the teachings and qualities reflective of her father's 
             training.
               At the age of three when her mother died, her father 
             assumed the rare role of matriarch. Gently, quietly, and 
             sternly, he raised five children alone and instilled in 
             them a strong work ethic. Juanita's drive for perfection, 
             hard work and leadership qualities were shaped by this 
             philosophy. From an early age, what she did and how she 
             did it was always kept to herself, yet her results spoke 
             for themselves. She could very well be labeled a ``quiet 
             warrior.''
               She attended Carrie A. Tuggle Elementary School and 
             graduated from Holy Family Catholic High School with 
             honors. She married James McDonald, Jr., and the couple 
             moved to Southern California soon after. They raised five 
             very active children even as she pursued a successful 
             career within the Los Angeles Unified School District. In 
             1981, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 
             Business Administration from the University of Redlands 
             and Master of Arts in Educational Administration from 
             California State University at Los Angeles.
               Juanita's political career began in 1990 when she was 
             elected and served as a Carson City Council member and 
             Mayor Pro Tempore within her first term. In 1992, she 
             catapulted into the State Assembly where she served as 
             chairwoman of two powerful California State Assembly 
             committees (Insurance and Revenue and Taxation) during her 
             two terms.
               Juanita continued her legacy of achievement parlaying 
             her political successes into winning a seat in Congress in 
             1996. When U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy 
             Pelosi named her Chairwoman of the House Committee on 
             Administration, she became the first African American 
             woman in history to chair a full House committee. As 
             Chairwoman of this committee, she oversaw the operation of 
             the House of Representatives; the Library of Congress; the 
             Smithsonian Institute; the National Zoo and all federal 
             elections. She was the first African American woman to 
             give the national Democratic response to President Bush's 
             weekly radio address, and the first to be named Honorary 
             Curator of the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach.
               Juanita was nationally known as an unwavering advocate 
             for women, families, people of color and small business. 
             As co-chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus, she 
             supported initiatives that promoted women's wellness and 
             celebrated their achievements.
               Her legislative proposals included, but were not limited 
             to ``Preventing Mother-to-Child HIV/AIDS Transmission 
             Act,'' the ``Women and Heart Disease Resolution,'' and the 
             ``Empowering Women Business Owners Act.'' Among her many 
             sponsored initiatives, two bills stand out as an example 
             of her commitment to underrepresented populations: ``The 
             Second Chance Voting Rights Act of 2000'' which aimed to 
             restore the voting rights to former inmates and ``The 
             Healthy People, Healthy Choices Act'' to address the 
             devastating impact of obesity in minority communities. She 
             was a firm believer in diversity, access and equal 
             opportunity. Gaining international headlines and drawing 
             national attention to the inner city substance abuse 
             problem, Juanita was instrumental in bringing CIA Director 
             John Deutch to Watts to address allegations of Agency 
             involvement in the international drug trade. Covered by 
             ABC's Nightline, the meeting sparked national debate over 
             the role of the federal government in addressing the 
             issue.
               Juanita served on several community, professional and 
             civic boards, including the National Association of Female 
             Executives, the National Women's Political Caucus, the 
             Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern 
             California and the National Association for the 
             Advancement of Colored People. She was on the Board of 
             Trustees for Second Baptist Church and an active member of 
             Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was founder and 
             executive director of the League of African American 
             Women, an organization of 40 African American Women groups 
             responsible for the annual ``AIDS Walk for Minority Women 
             and Children.'' The African American Women's Health and 
             Education Foundation will be the ongoing legacy for 
             continued support of and research on AIDS prevention.
               Considering all these firsts and tremendous 
             accomplishments, Juanita's most significant impact was 
             made on her family. She was a symbol of generations and 
             generations of proud people who overcame adversity in a 
             world that did not always understand the circumstances of 
             women and people of color. Juanita raised her children and 
             grandchildren to never settle for mediocrity. She 
             influenced her brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and 
             cousins to persevere and be fully engaged in the pursuit 
             of their passions.
               Juanita is survived by her husband James McDonald and 
             their five children, Valerie, Angela (Juan), Sherryll, 
             Derrick, Keith (Lori) and five grandchildren, Ayanna, 
             Ramia, Myles, Blair and Diamond; her sisters Dicksey Marie 
             (Vernon) and Nora (Herbert), brother Shelly (Brenda); her 
             nephews and nieces, Wanda (Ted), Yolanda, LaMont (Debra), 
             James, Galen, Michelle, Mark (LaVeda), Derrick, Vikki 
             (Christopher), Herbert (Toni), Yuri, Shelly III (Darlene), 
             Eryka (Randall); grand nephews and nieces, LaMont II, 
             Dejeana, David, Andrew, William, Jr., Courtney (Gerald), 
             Angelina, Kendall, Cameron, Austin, Alexandra, Shelby, 
             Shelly IV, Shelby, Randall, Jr., and Ryan; uncles and 
             aunt, William Dortch (Vivian), Oliver Webb and Reba 
             McCants; father-in-law, James McDonald, Sr. (Vera) and 
             sister-in-law, Quincy Ballard along with a host of cousins 
             and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, 
             mother and brother William.
             CONGRESSWOMAN

             JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD


             Order of Service



                                    Organ Prelude

                            ``His Eye is on the Sparrow''



                          Instrumental and Combined Choirs

               The Second Baptist Church Consoling Choir and the Los 
                            Angeles Inner City Mass Choir



                                    Processional

                               Pastor William S. Epps



                                   Opening Prayer

                               Reverend Gregory Morris



                                  Musical Selection

                                  ``Amazing Grace''



                                   Combined Choirs



                                 Scripture Readings

                                Ms. Sheryl Lee Ralph



                                    Old Testament

                                  Proverbs 31:8-11



                                    New Testament

                                 1 Corinthians 15:10

                                   2 Timothy 4:7-8



                                  Prayer of Comfort

                              Reverend Leslie R. White



                                      Greeting

                         The Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa

                             Mayor, City of Los Angeles



                                  Musical Selection

                                  ``Precious Lord''



                                   Combined Choirs



                                  Acknowledgements

                                 Valerie J. McDonald



                                 Family Reflections

                                  Sherryll McDonald

                                 Michael C. McDonald

                      Grandchildren with Angela McDonald-Thomas

                                  and Lori McDonald

                                   Wanda Levatter



                                  Musical Selection

                       ``Then My Living Shall Not Be in Vain''

                                   Ms. Marie Marsh



                                      Tributes

                      The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker

                              The Honorable Jerry Lewis

                          The Honorable Carolyn Kilpatrick

                               Mr. Jimmie Lee Solomon

                                  Dr. Helene Gayle



                                  Musical Selection

                                ``I Won't Complain''

                                   Ms. Marie Marsh



                                      Tributes

                         The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr.

                           The Honorable Grace Napolitano

                            The Honorable Diane E. Watson

                           The Honorable Mervyn M. Dymally

                                 Chief Anthony Batts

                                 Mr. David Crippens



                                       Eulogy

                               Pastor William S. Epps



                                  Musical Selection

                                ``In the Upper Room''

                                   Consoling Choir



                                     Benediction

                               Pastor William S. Epps



                                     Recessional

                          Upon conclusion of this service,
                       please remain seated until the family,
               Congressional Delegation and dignitaries have departed.

                 By request of the family, the interment is private.

                                 Active Pallbearers

                            Military Service Honor Guard



                                Honorary Pallbearers

                            Michael Christopher McDonald

                                   Myles McDonald

                               Roderick Keith McDonald



                                   Lambert Adouki

                                     Steve Bagby

                            The Honorable Steve Bradford

                                    Terry Carter

                                   Lamont Chappell

                                   James Chappell

                                   Galen Chappell

                                    Mark Chappell

                            The Honorable Larry Forester

                                   Derrick Freeman

                              The Honorable Mike Gipson

                                     Larry Grant

                             The Honorable Isadore Hall

                                   Vincent Harris

                                    Andrew Hudson

                                    Ted Levatter

                                     Andre Lewis

                                   James D. Lites

                                    Kevin Martin

                                    Marcus Mason

                                 Herbert Mathews Jr.

                                Bandele McQueen, Esq.

                                Shelly Millender III

                                  Patrick Patterson

                                   Paul Patterson

                                     Ian Patton

                                    Terry Stinson

                                  E. Dotson Wilson

                                     Gary Winuk

                                     Henry Dixon

                                    Rodney Emery

                                   Hasan Christian

                                   Acknowledgments

              The family wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of 
                                      sympathy
                and condolence they have received. The outpouring of 
                                       support
               has been overwhelming. We ask that you continue to pray
                  for us. May God's continuous blessings be yours.


              Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good 
              deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from 
                                people of importance.

                                                         Proverbs 31:31




              When I must leave you for a little while, please do not 
               grieve and shed wild tears, and hug your sorrow to you 
               through the years but start out bravely with a gallant 
              smile and for my sake and in my name live on and do all 
              things the same. Seek not your loneliness on empty days 
              but fill each waking hour in useful ways. Reach out your 
             hand in comfort and cheer. And I in turn will comfort you 
               and hold you near and never be afraid to die for I am 
                             waiting for you in the sky.


             Valerie J. McDonald. On behalf of my family (immediate and 
             extended), I want to acknowledge the many expressions of 
             sympathy and condolence we have received during these very 
             difficult times. The outpouring of support has been 
             overwhelming and it truly warms my heart to know that my 
             mother had such an impact on so many people. I cannot 
             thank everyone by name at this time, but would like to 
             thank the following persons for their ongoing 
             communications and concerns:

                 Pastor Epps and my Second Baptist Church family
                 Sybil Brown

                 The cities of Carson, Compton, Long Beach, Signal Hill 
                   and Los Angeles

                 Councilman Mike Gipson

                 Councilwoman Jan Perry

                 The county of Los Angeles and the offices of 
                   Supervisors Yvonne Braithwaite Burke and Gloria 
                   Molina
                 Time Warner

                 The office of Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas

                 The University of Southern California

                 The office of Assembly Member Laura Richardson

               I would also like to acknowledge the work and support of 
             those whose efforts have assisted us immensely:


                 My mother's staff, specifically Mary Gaddis and 
                   Josephine Martin who have worked tirelessly since 
                   joining her office over 15 years ago.

                 Marcus Mason, Bandele McQueen, Terry Carter and Carmen 
                   Taylor all of whom made sure the people in the 37th 
                   Congressional District continued to receive the 
                   service my mother always demonstrated and demanded.

                 Top Sergeants Vincent Harris and Terry Stinson who 
                   assisted in making sure my family was insulated from 
                   any unwarranted activity, helping us to focus on the 
                   matters of importance to my mother and her 
                   constituents.

               They collectively assisted the DC and district offices 
             in making the transition from the Office of Congresswoman 
             Millender-McDonald to the Offices of the 37th 
             Congressional District. Your friendship and love cannot be 
             measured and we thank you.
               You know, my mother lived in an era of great change.
               During her lifetime, she witnessed Jackie Robinson break 
             the color barrier in major league baseball, the collapse 
             of Jim Crow segregation, and the emergence of 
             opportunities unavailable to previous generations.
               She took stock of ``firsts'' by trumpeting the 
             achievements of others and chronicling her own 
             accomplishments. That's why the presence of the first 
             female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the 
             Honorable Nancy Pelosi means so much to us. Likewise, she 
             would want me to acknowledge the first female and African 
             American Chief Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, 
             Lorraine Miller. And finally, she would ask me not to 
             forget to mention former California Assembly Speaker 
             Willie Brown, Jr., who was her first Speaker and whose 
             mentorship she respected.
               I personally want to thank Representatives Grace 
             Napolitano, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Barbara Lee, Diane 
             E. Watson, and Sanford Bishop. Their phone calls almost 
             every day reached out to my entire family, especially my 
             dad, to inquire about his emotional, physical and 
             spiritual well-being.
               I want to acknowledge Sergeant at Arms, Wilson Livingood 
             and Ted Daniel and the Capitol Police for their assistance 
             in providing the continuity of this service.
               To my aunts Nora and Dicksey, thank you for supporting 
             my mother her entire life. When mom needed an ear to 
             listen, precinct walkers, telephone callers or donors to 
             her campaign, you were there. Yesterday, Representative 
             Diane Watson, the California Teacher's Association, the 
             AKAs, the Carson Women's Club, the Fannie Lou Hammer Queen 
             Mothers Society, and the League of African American Women 
             presented resolutions to my mother at a memorial organized 
             by Aunt Dicksey, allowing several members of mom's 
             constituency to express their feelings. Thank you.
               I'm sure I have forgotten to mention many names so 
             please forgive me and accept my thanks on behalf of my 
             family for your love, kindness and compassion.


             Wanda Levatter. Good afternoon, my name is Wanda Chappell-
             Levatter. I am D. Marie Chappell-Battle's eldest child, 
             and I am also the eldest child of the family's baby boomer 
             generation. Upon being informed of my aunt's death, I was 
             also told that she wanted me to speak. My Aunt Juanita 
             honors me here today. It is both a privilege and an honor 
             for me to represent all of her nieces and nephews.
               The core family name is Millender, but we along with our 
             cousins carry many different last names such as McDonald, 
             Chappell, Mathews, Levatter, Brown, Thomas, Dortch, 
             Freeman, etc. So many last names that I can't list them 
             all.
               Our names are from all over the world--Dutch, French, 
             Russian, English, etc. Names that point to our slave 
             heritage as well as our ancestors' legacies. I am saying 
             this all to acknowledge the fact that Juanita Millender-
             McDonald's name was unusual from the start. When she was 
             born she was a star! She was given a Spanish first name--
             Juanita. Millender is a name of Dutch descent. And 
             McDonald, her married name, is a Scottish surname.
               How apropos is it that Juanita, born a black Southern 
             female, had names from everywhere. But be assured that she 
             summed her name up by being an American. A great, all-
             American woman. A leader in her neighborhood, her 
             community, the State of California, and our great country. 
             Yes, a leader, but first a leader in our American family.
               Aunt Juanita loved her family--Uncle James, Val, Angie, 
             Sherrie, Chris, Keith, her son-in-law, Juan, and her 
             beloved daughter-in-law Lori. When the grandchildren, 
             Ayanna, Myles, Ramia and Blair came along, she was 
             ecstatic and the quintessential, doting grandmother.
               She loved her older siblings, D. Marie, Nora, Shelly Jr. 
             (Buddy), and Harvey. Being only 3 years old when her 
             mother passed away, Juanita was raised by her older 
             siblings and their dad who remained a widower until his 
             death in the 1980s.
               In the same loving manner, she instinctively loved each 
             and every one of her nieces and nephews, along with a 
             multitude of cousins, many of whom are here today from all 
             over the Nation. Speaking for 14 nieces and nephews, 11 
             grandnieces and nephews, and 1 great-grandnephew, Baby 
             Charles, is virtually an impossible task.
               I did gather some information from a few of my 
             relations, but decided otherwise. Since I have known my 
             aunt the longest--she was a pre-teenager when I was born--
             I decided to keep it simple. I give you my impressions and 
             the memories she has left me.
               Maya Angelou wrote, ``Love life, engage in it, give it 
             all you got! Love it with a passion, because life truly 
             does give back, many times over what you put into it!''
               Juanita was all of that and more. She was ferocious if 
             someone was unfair to an individual. She spoke up, and let 
             you know what was on her mind. She did not let people get 
             away with anything. She championed children, women, men, 
             minorities, the handicapped, the disenfranchised, etc. Her 
             voice rang out in the State legislature and in the House 
             of Congress for fairness, decency, and compassion for 
             those less fortunate.
               Juanita was eloquent, dignified, witty, clever, and very 
             strong-willed. Even the illness that she eventually 
             succumbed to had a formidable battle on its hands. She was 
             determined to fight it until the end. And she did. She 
             literally worked until just days before her death.
               My impressions? They are simple compared to her great 
             accomplishments, but nevertheless, they are mine.
               I loved the way when she heard something funny how she 
             would chuckle at first and would eventually laugh out 
             loud, clap her hands and reply with either, ``that's a 
             good one'' or ``child, please!''
               I loved how when she was a teenager she loved to drink 
             RC Cola--Royal Crown Cola--a habit that must have 
             disappeared in her twenties, but something I remember 
             about her with endearment. I thought it was so cool!
               I loved the way she would wave at me when we both went 
             to Holy Family in Birmingham. I was in kindergarten, and 
             she was in high school. I'd only see her on rainy days 
             when the whole school was in the big gymnasium. I loved 
             getting her attention.
               I loved watching ``American Bandstand'' with her when it 
             originated from Philadelphia and learning how to do the 
             stroll, the cha-cha-cha, the mashed potato, and the twist 
             from her.
               I loved the way she said, ``Daddy'' when referring to my 
             grandfather. I loved that she married in this church and 
             remained a member throughout her life.
               I loved how she engaged my brother, James, a special 
             needs child and/or others who were challenged. She never 
             forgot their limitations, but recognized the goodness and 
             strengths of each of them.
               I loved how she calmed me down at my wedding when the 
             florist arrived late. She was loving, patient, and very 
             sensible.
               I loved the way she embraced my husband and other in-
             laws as they married into the family. I loved the more 
             than 50 Thanksgiving meals in which everyone partook in 
             both family games and passionate and very heated political 
             debates. When we left those events, we were all stirred 
             up, shook up, and overly stimulated.
               I loved being a witness to her and her two sisters, D. 
             Marie and Nora. They were the mighty three, the formidable 
             trio, the matriarchs of the family--the Millender sisters. 
             When they were involved in anything--step back, keep your 
             mouth shut, and get out of the way! They took no 
             prisoners. They were on a mission to change the world. 
             Even I, the first born, never encroached upon that holy 
             order. I knew my place. And I stood back in awe.
               I loved how my aunt took me out on my 21st birthday to 
             the ``space'' restaurant at LAX. I enjoyed my first adult 
             fine dining experience there with Juanita. Despite my 
             natural inclination to just order a hamburger and to be a 
             kid, she told me that I was older now and needed to know 
             the ways of the world.
               Upon her insistence, I had my first drink, a daiquiri. I 
             also enjoyed the first and the only time I ever tasted 
             filet mignon. I remember it because it tasted like butter. 
             Juanita laughed about it years later because within a few 
             weeks of that meal, I became a lifelong vegetarian. But 
             boy do I remember that meal! It was special! One of the 
             few times I was with her by myself.
               It was obvious that she was preparing me for adulthood. 
             She never said what I should or should not do, but I knew 
             what was expected of me. I was expected to work hard, to 
             be self-sufficient, intelligent, informed, witty, 
             charming, and above all, polite.
               Last, I loved how she died on her own terms, at her 
             home, in her own bed. Juanita, Maya Angelou's words really 
             do sum up the life you lived. You loved life, engaged in 
             it with a passion and in every way you gave it all you had 
             to give. Life in turn, gave back to you many times over 
             what you put into it. I love you, we love you, and I will 
             now take the liberty to call you by the name that only 
             your brothers and sisters, Yolanda, LaMont and myself were 
             allowed to call you. Our words of endearment, Baby Sister.


             Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House. On behalf of all 
             Members of Congress, I rise to pay tribute to Chairwoman 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald, who passed away Saturday 
             night. I offer the deepest sympathies to her family who 
             loved her so dearly--her husband, James McDonald, Jr., her 
             five children, and her five grandchildren.
               As the first African American woman to chair a committee 
             in Congress, Juanita Millender-McDonald was a trailblazer, 
             always advocating for the full participation of all 
             Americans in the success and prosperity of our country. 
             She was a strong defender of the right of every eligible 
             voter to have full access to the polls, and a tireless 
             proponent of fair elections that ensured that every vote 
             would be counted.
               As chair of the House Administration Committee, 
             Chairwoman Millender-McDonald's deep commitment to 
             diversity was manifested in her actions on hiring and 
             contracting within the House of Representatives. She 
             enjoyed her role as the ``mayor'' of Capitol Hill, and was 
             known for asking tourists in elevators ``are you finding 
             everything OK?'' and listening closely to their response.
               After her family, the people of California's 37th 
             District were always first and foremost in Chairwoman 
             Millender-McDonald's mind and her work here in Congress. 
             She saw it as a priority to make sure they had every 
             opportunity. She worked to strengthen the economy and 
             create jobs there, and she saw it as a priority to secure 
             the two ports adjacent to her district.
               Chairwoman Millender-McDonald was an advocate for 
             justice around the world. She spoke out forcefully against 
             the genocide in Darfur, and was a powerful advocate for 
             the rights of women everywhere. As a former co-chairwoman 
             of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, she worked 
             for gender equity here at home and throughout the world.
               The loss of Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald is a 
             personal one for many of us here. She was always 
             optimistic and determined to make a difference. The 
             dignity with which she faced her illness was an indication 
             of the determination with which she always served the 
             people of our country. We have all lost an effective 
             leader and spokeswoman, and many of us have lost a dear 
             friend.
               When we look around this Chamber, it's almost impossible 
             to imagine it without Juanita here fighting the fight, and 
             doing so looking magnificent. The dignity, the grace, the 
             beauty, the thoughtfulness that she brought to the tasks 
             at hand were a model for others. Young people would come 
             to the Capitol and observe her in action and learn from 
             her.
               We also learned from her how to have dignity at the end 
             of life. Many of us knew that she had had bouts of 
             illness, but we really didn't know how serious it was and 
             how close she was to what she said, her daughter told me, 
             ``going home.'' Valerie said to me last night, she said, 
             ``I want to make all these arrangements so that I can go 
             home.''
               I hope it is a comfort to Chairwoman Juanita Millender-
             McDonald's family and friends that so many people mourn 
             their loss and are praying for them at this sad time. Many 
             of us will travel to California to say goodbye to Juanita, 
             to speak to her in that familiar way.
               It's been an honor to call her colleague--I know we all 
             agree on that. And for many of us it was a privilege also 
             to call her friend.
               Goodbye, my friend.


             Hon. Carolyn Kilpatrick, Congresswoman. On behalf of the 
             entire body of the Congressional Black Caucus, we wish to 
             extend our sincerest condolences to the family of 
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Juanita was not 
             only our colleague, but she was also a woman of supreme 
             character, a devoted leader, and a dear friend.
               History will record her as the first African American 
             woman to chair a full committee in the U.S. House of 
             Representatives; our hearts will revere her as a fearless 
             leader who vowed to enhance our local and global 
             communities through tireless service and timely advocacy.
               Most were unaware of Congresswoman McDonald's stellar 
             background. A portrait of her life includes a gallery of 
             groundbreaking distinctions, including being the first 
             African American woman to serve on the Carson City 
             Council; the first African American woman to render the 
             national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly 
             radio address; the first to be named honorary curator of 
             the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach; and the 
             first Democratic chair of the Congressional Caucus for 
             Women's Issues. Undoubtedly, serving in the U.S. House of 
             Representatives was the right stage for this shining star.
               Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald will be sorely 
             missed. Her lasting commitment to making America honor its 
             promise will remain unbridled. The CBC will continue to 
             carry on the work of Congresswoman McDonald as we change 
             course, confront crises, and continue the legacy.


             Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB Executive Vice President, Baseball 
             Operations. To the family, colleagues, and friends of 
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, I am deeply 
             honored to be here today to add my voice to those mourning 
             her loss, celebrating her memory, and recognizing her 
             outstanding legacy of service.
               When I was asked to speak, I must admit that I wondered 
             initially if I was qualified to do so, especially in the 
             company of so many who had known her so much better. And 
             so much longer.
               However, as I reflected on the impact of my experience 
             with Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, I knew that I had 
             to be here.
               It was important to share with you personally yet 
             another dimension of her passionate commitment, and 
             tireless dedication to making a difference for her 
             district and its young people--all qualities that I came 
             to know firsthand.
               In late February 2006, it was my privilege to introduce 
             the Congresswoman at the opening of major league 
             baseball's first urban youth academy on the campus of 
             Compton Community College. From the outset of my career in 
             major league baseball, it had been my dream to bring to 
             America's inner-city communities a state-of-the-art 
             facility where disadvantaged minority youth could not only 
             learn to play baseball, but receive exposure and training 
             for career opportunities both on and off the field.
               And no one outside the major league baseball family was 
             a more effective ally in transforming this ambitious dream 
             into a bricks-and-mortar reality than Juanita Millender-
             McDonald.
               When the Congresswoman first heard that we were looking 
             at the Los Angeles area as a site for the academy, she 
             approached me about considering Compton. Well, we came, we 
             saw. And we were conquered by an extraordinary ambassador 
             for California's 37th District.
               The Congresswoman's enthusiasm and optimism about the 
             area's potential redefined ``straight outta Compton'' into 
             a badge of district pride. And now it has become a 
             tremendous source of pride for major league baseball as 
             well.
               I don't know whether she fully embraced our vision of 
             what the academy could mean to Compton's at-risk youth 
             because of her years as a teacher, her work as a community 
             activist, or simply her personal sensitivities as a mother 
             and grandmother. But what we do know is that she ``got 
             it'' and consistently lent her unwavering support and 
             political savvy to facilitate the project, even as 
             obstacles emerged along the way.
               It was during those times that we saw the full measure 
             of a woman who parted the waters for us without getting a 
             drop on her elegant attire, a lioness who never lost any 
             of her Southern-bred charm and graciousness in the heat of 
             the fray. And we will never forget her efforts on our 
             behalf.
                To that end, I am pleased to announce that on August 
             9th of this year, major league baseball will dedicate the 
             entire plaza concourse at the Compton Academy to 
             Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, with the 
             installation of a bronze plaque inscribed to a woman who 
             may well be considered ``the Godmother of the Academy.''
               The plaque will be positioned at a vista where it can 
             easily be seen and read by each person who enters so that 
             all may know that this facility would not have been 
             possible without her strategic assistance.
               As I contemplate the passing of this remarkable woman, I 
             am reminded of a father who had two sons--one named Life 
             and the other named Death. Life was an active child full 
             of energy and abundance. He would put the mementos of 
             everything he did in a box he kept under his bed. In that 
             box were pictures, stories, souvenirs--anything that 
             served as a reminder of what he had done that day. Life 
             was a wonderful child who brought his father great joy.
               Now Death was just the opposite. Death was mischievous 
             and always up to something disruptive that would get 
             attention. Death would steal, openly cheat, and take 
             advantage of anyone around him. Death wanted and created 
             chaos wherever he went.
               One day Life returned from his day's activities, went 
             into his room and looked under his bed, but his box was 
             gone! Life was hysterical and cried uncontrollably.
               When the father heard the commotion, he came into the 
             room and asked Life what was wrong. Life sobbed, ``My box 
             and all the things I collected are gone!''
               The father said, ``Life, I have known you and your 
             brother all of your lives. And I have been keeping my eye 
             on that conniving Death. Yesterday, he took your box. But 
             I had been watching him, so before he did that, I took all 
             your things and set them aside in my room. So when Death 
             came, all he got was an empty box.''
                Our Father, God, is much like the father in the story. 
             He has known Juanita Millender-McDonald, and the great 
             works she did to fulfill his plans for her life and all of 
             us here today. Each in our own way are indeed testaments 
             and memoirs of the life she lived.
               So when death came to her home in Carson on April 22, 
             her spirit had already soared to join her Heavenly Father 
             in a joyous homecoming. And all he got was an empty box.
               Thank you.


             Hon. Diane E. Watson, Congresswoman. Congresswoman Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald left a legacy of dedicated service to 
             her constituents, colleagues, and people of the United 
             States. As the historic first African American female to 
             chair a committee of the House of Representatives, Juanita 
             used her position as chairwoman of the House 
             Administration Committee to correct oversights from the 
             past and initiate new programs. She established a lasting 
             legacy through her many good works. I salute Juanita in 
             spirit as I did in life.
                                 The Juanita I Knew
                          By Congresswoman Diane E. Watson
             A stylish lady with a soft touch and with might . . .
             Who in every instant revealed an intelligent insight;
             Raised in a family where character was built
             By a father who knew where her future would tilt;
             She stayed true to her values with tolerance and grace
             And modeled strict principles for all to embrace;
             To honor her father she would carry his name
             In the middle of her signature to much acclaim;
             A lady whose hard work truly reflected a family
             Upbringing where much was expected;
             Juanita took on her new chairmanship with all great vigor
             And made much progress in spite of the rigor;
             Few had known that her time would be short;
             But she took on the responsibility without even a thought;
             She left life on her own terms;
             From her stoic behavior we can all learn for God only 
               knows
             When the clock is to be set;
             But we now know that Juanita has been sent to her final 
               rest;
             So sleep on Juanita, we'll remember you with love.


             David Crippens, Chair, Trustee Board, Second Baptist 
             Church. Our prayers and love go out to the husband, James; 
             to the children, Angela, James Jr., Keith, Chris, 
             Sherryll, and Valerie; to the grandchildren; to her 
             sisters, Dr. D. Marie Millender-Battle, and Ms. Nora 
             Millender-Matthews; and to the extended family.
                Congresswoman McDonald, or if you will permit me, 
             Juanita, was a true sister of the members of this 
             congregation and a true daughter of Second Baptist Church. 
             She represented to the community what this church has been 
             about for 122 years!
                Second was established to be a spiritual home to the 
             church members. And throughout its history, Second has 
             always reached out to be of service to the broader 
             community.
                As a member of our trustee board, Juanita was involved 
             in one of the most momentous decisions that this church 
             has ever made: the decision to stay and serve this 
             neighborhood. The trustee board, with the congregation's 
             approval, voted to preserve and restore this 81-year-old 
             historic structure. This work will commence this summer.
                In so doing, we honor the legacy of the visionary 
             people who founded the church, and we look forward to the 
             bright future of Los Angeles.
                Juanita used her vision, her character, and her great 
             strength as a leader to contribute mightily to the same 
             bright future.
                On a personal note, Juanita was the one who brought my 
             wife and me to this marvelous congregation some 18 years 
             ago. She expected me to get involved. She always held me 
             accountable for that involvement. I can hear her say, 
             ``Now, David.''
                The congregation voted to honor her legacy to the 
             trustee board and to the church by naming her trustee 
             emeritus. This is no small accolade for a person who lived 
             life to the fullest. She expected the same of others: not 
             to see obstacles but to search out the possibilities.
                Juanita's life was like a stone thrown into a pond. The 
             splash makes ripples in the form of circles, radiating out 
             from the center. All of us here today are part of those 
             ever-widening circles of her influence.
                Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald's time on this 
             Earth truly personified Pastor Epps' words to those who 
             join this congregation: ``Service is the price you pay for 
             the space you occupy.''


             William S. Epps, Pastor. Death like a thief in the night 
             came and took the life of one we have known. Unaware of 
             the extent of the challenges she was facing with her 
             health, those who heard the news were in shock. The public 
             would later come to know what the family already knew; 
             Juanita was in a fight for her life in which she would 
             fall as a victim. She bravely accepted what she could not 
             change and faced the outcome of her inevitable demise 
             courageously. She eased out of time quietly leaving behind 
             a trail that traces the steps her life tells.
               Juanita Millender was born on September 7, 1938. She 
             exited this ephemeral reality on April 21, 2007. She lived 
             to be 68 years, 7 months and 14 days. That translates into 
             25,063 days, 3,580 weeks and 823 months. The name Juanita 
             from the Hebrew origin means gift of God or God has been 
             gracious and from the Spanish origin it means God's gift 
             or God has been gracious. As we come to commemorate the 
             life and celebrate the legacy of Juanita Millender-
             McDonald I want to use as our focus God has been gracious. 
             We are thankful for God's gift to us in, through, and with 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald. I just want to talk to you 
             about what Juanita was as an expression of God's 
             graciousness.
               Saint Iranaeus, that second century theologian, who 
             helped to shape the early development of Christian 
             theology and direct the course of the church's beliefs, is 
             credited with a statement that has lingered in the hearts 
             of many about how faith finds expression. His work 
             continues to inform modern scholarship about the priceless 
             and timeless contribution of the thinking of his day. He 
             is credited with the saying ``the glory of God is a human 
             fully alive.'' God wants people who are fully alive, not 
             people who cower in fear but people who are not afraid to 
             live to the fullest and make the most out of life. After 
             all God made us to live life fully and abundantly.
               Juanita was a human being fully alive and therefore the 
             glory of the Lord was revealed and seen in her as God's 
             gift--the expression of God's graciousness. She was the 
             quintessential woman for Juanita epitomized what it meant 
             to be a human who lived life fully. She embodied the 
             characteristics of womanhood in all of their fullness. She 
             did not sacrifice any aspect of what it meant to be a 
             woman. She started as a daughter, the youngest of five 
             siblings, became a young lady, a wife, a mother, an aunt, 
             a grandmother, an educator, a legislator at the municipal, 
             State and Federal levels, a consummate stateswoman, an 
             advocate for the poor and disenfranchised, a lady of 
             exceptional and rare grace, poise, and dignity. You can 
             truly say of Juanita that she is often imitated but never 
             duplicated. She was truly one of a kind.
               There is a person from the pages of sacred writ who 
             comes to mind when I consider the gift we have had as an 
             expression of God's graciousness in Juanita. In Judges, 
             chapter 4 and verse 4, it says, ``at that time Deborah, a 
             prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel.'' Let 
             me paraphrase it to read, at that time Juanita, God's 
             gift, an expression of God's graciousness, the wife of 
             James, the mother of Sherryll, Valerie, Angela, Chris, and 
             Keith was in the legislature.
               Juanita was a present-day Deborah. We are simply told a 
             few things about Deborah that frames the picture I want to 
             paint for you on this occasion of our friend. We are told 
             that Deborah was a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth and a 
             judge in Israel. Deborah was a prophetess. She is 
             described by the faith that shapes her life. A prophetess 
             in that day was a person who was in touch with the reality 
             of the Spirit of God to the extent that others recognized 
             that there was something special about her. Her ability, 
             capacity, honesty, and judgment were trusted. What she 
             said carried weight and meant something. She was authentic 
             and real and people believed in her. When she appeared 
             people recognized her. When she stood her appearance was 
             commanding. When she spoke people listened. She was a rare 
             and exceptional breed indeed.
               Juanita was a person of faith. Her faith was the driving 
             and motivating force behind her life. She was the great-
             granddaughter and granddaughter of A.M.E. ministers and 
             the daughter of a Baptist minister. Her life's course was 
             determined by the faith that shaped her and all that she 
             did, and became. Her faith informed her identity. Her 
             faith provided the lens through which she interpreted 
             information/reality. Her faith assisted her in integrating 
             her insights. Her faith inspired her involvement. ``She 
             spoke up for those who could not speak for themselves, for 
             the rights of all who are destitute'' (Proverbs 31:8). It 
             was her faith that was the catalyst that propelled her to 
             reach to do what she did because her faith became a 
             mandate for her in the words of Jim Wallis, ``to change 
             the wind.'' Can you do it, I don't know, but I have to 
             try. Will you make it, I am not sure, but I have to try. 
             What if it doesn't work, all I know is in the words of the 
             poet, ``I have to fill the unforgiving minute with sixty 
             seconds worth of distant run.'' I have to do what I can.
               Deborah was the wife of Lappidoth. She is described by 
             the relationship she had chosen by which she would be 
             identified. Her relationship with her husband was one of 
             the defining aspects of her life by which she was 
             remembered.
               Juanita was the wife of James. She was a person for whom 
             family was important. She did not live in isolation with a 
             singularity of focus but chose to recognize the 
             multiplicity of life's emphases. Relationships are a part 
             of life. Our lives are described by our relationships. 
             Juanita was the wife of James. She was proud to be James' 
             wife with all of the benefits that it afforded her. She 
             had the security of a warm, loving environment where she 
             could conceive and rear five children in the confines of a 
             home where she was accepted, admired, and appreciated. As 
             James' wife she became the mother of Sherryll, Angela, 
             Valerie, Christopher and Keith in a relationship of trust 
             of faith that actualizes itself in the symbolic of 
             becoming no more twain but one flesh. She was the wife of 
             James. She was her parents' daughter, her siblings' 
             sister, her students' teacher, her staff's manager, her 
             constituents' representative, her colleagues' co-worker, 
             her friends' friend, her children's parent and her 
             husband's wife. Her life was described by her 
             relationships and her relationships were defined by her 
             faith.
               Finally, Deborah was a judge in Israel. Deborah was one 
             of the early charismatic leaders of ancient Israel. She 
             was among a small group of persons whose contributions are 
             recorded in the seventh book of the Bible called Judges. 
             She was the only one of her kind in the list as the others 
             were men. It has been said that the best man for the job 
             is a woman. Deborah was an outstanding person, able to 
             arouse the scattered tribes of Israel to a sense of unity 
             and loyalty to God in their early struggles against the 
             Canaanites. This sense of unity was of critical importance 
             for the establishment and continuing life of the nation of 
             Israel.
               Juanita was a legislator at every level of government. 
             She served as a member of the Carson City Council and 
             mayor pro tempore. She served in the State Legislature of 
             the State of California for two consecutive terms chairing 
             the California State Assembly Committees on Insurance and 
             Revenue and Taxation. She served in the U.S. Congress, 
             being named most recently as the chairwoman of the House 
             Committee on Administration by Speaker of the House Nancy 
             Pelosi, becoming the first African American woman to chair 
             a full House committee.
               She is among an elite group. You can count the African 
             American women in the Congress of the United States (10 in 
             number, now minus 1). They have emerged against the odds 
             to shape the policies of a Nation that is still struggling 
             with equality for all of its citizens. They are the last 
             hope that we will continue to move forward and not retreat 
             to the days of yesteryear when discrimination was 
             acceptable.
               Juanita was a heroine of human rights (a feminist). 
             Unfortunately, in politically conservative circles any 
             reference to feminist or feminism is taboo. The term with 
             what it represents let it be told is the reason for the 
             decline in the family, morals, and values of the 
             contemporary society. You are aware that the term simply 
             means that you advocate for the equal rights, political 
             and social, for women and everybody who is 
             disenfranchised. A friend of mine, a feminist by the way, 
             told me that the first feminist she ever met was her dad. 
             I hope you get the point. A woman does not have to 
             sacrifice being feminine to be a female. She can be like 
             Deborah in a man's world, a judge exercising discretion in 
             delicate matters, prudence in perplexing situations and 
             wisdom in the most extreme of circumstances.
               Well, let me close. I just want to close with what is 
             part of the faith tradition of which Juanita was a part; 
             the tradition that shaped her understanding and guided her 
             life of faith, her family life and her professional life.
               She was a Christian. That shaped how she lived her life 
             and how she faced her death. She faced death courageously 
             like one who in the words of the poet could ``wrap the 
             drapery of her couch about her and lie down to pleasant 
             dreams.'' She could say ``Death, be not proud.'' You have 
             not won a victory. You have merely opened a door through 
             which I have passed. You are potent but not omnipotent. 
             There are some things you cannot do. We have that saying 
             around here. We know that death is limited. There are some 
             things that death cannot do. Death cannot cancel the 
             contribution that a person makes in a lifetime nor limit 
             the length of the legacy that a loved one leaves behind. 
             Death cannot erase the experience we hold dear nor mar the 
             memories that we keep near.
               Death and life had a meeting at a place shaped like a 
             skull-shaped hill called Golgotha, known as Calvary. It 
             was there that an innocent person was murdered. The state 
             and people of faith formed what could be nothing less than 
             an unholy alliance because they were threatened by the 
             activity and growing popularity of an itinerant preacher 
             named Jesus. Surreptitiously they planned how they could 
             prevent the progress they saw being made. They wanted to 
             retard the influence that Jesus had garnered by virtue of 
             who he was and what he did. They made up charges and had a 
             fabricated trial. They convicted an innocent man on 
             trumped up charges in a kangaroo style court. After 
             convicting him falsely, they mocked him, scourged him and 
             put him to death on a cross. Preachers of another time 
             would say, ``they hung him high and stretched him wide and 
             out there he died.'' Those who came to that sight could 
             not do anything but show up and watch. They stood on the 
             periphery of the place where the awful spectacle occurred 
             and shook their heads and shed their tears. After he died, 
             Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate to ask for the body of 
             Jesus. Then he took his body and wrapped it in a linen 
             cloth and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb. That is what you do 
             when you can't do anything. You accept graciously the 
             privilege to pay a tribute of respect to a life well 
             spent. You adhere to the custom of your community, the 
             ritual of your religion and the tradition of your tribe. 
             The women who had come with him from Gallilee followed, 
             and they saw the tomb and how the body was laid. Then they 
             returned and prepared spices and ointments.
               They waited Friday, and Saturday. Early on Sunday 
             morning while it was yet dark, the women who had prepared 
             their spices and ointments threaded their way through the 
             darkened streets of a sleeping city to the tomb where 
             Jesus had been buried. When they got there they found that 
             the stone had been rolled away and Jesus was not there. An 
             angelic announcement informed them about what had 
             happened. Jesus was raised from the dead with all power in 
             Heaven and in Earth in his hand. Thus, the composer says, 
             ``Death where is your sting? Sting where is your grave? 
             Grave where is your victory?'' He got up. God raised him 
             up. He got up with all power in his hand.
               In Christ, God changed death from a period to a comma, 
             the grave from a terminal point to a thoroughfare that 
             leads to eternal life. So when we lay down for death's 
             long sleep we simply move beyond the boundaries of time 
             and space down the corridors of infinity to be with God in 
             eternity.
               So we say sleep on Juanita, we will see you in the 
             morning. There is a morning coming unlike any we have seen 
             before. It will be like the first morning when God brooded 
             over a wide abyss of nothingness and by the sheer essence 
             of God's presence called a moratorium on nothing and 
             declared that something would be the order of the day. In 
             that morning the clouds will roll back as a scroll, Jesus 
             will descend in the middle of the air, summoning the earth 
             and sea to give up their dead. All who sleep in him will 
             be given bodies like Jesus' own glorious body. Then we are 
             told that the last enemy to be destroyed is death. Death 
             will be summoned. Imagine the demise of death. The one who 
             has caused so many to sorrow will meet with the ultimate 
             end that has been the bane of our existence. Death will be 
             no more. Then we will all form a long and lordly train and 
             proceed down the corridors of infinity to a grand 
             coronation.
               One composer says:

             When I get home, how happy I will be.
             When I get home my Savior's face I'll see.
             When I get home, I never more shall more roam.
             You know bells will be ringing and saints will be singing 
               when I get home.
             I'll greet my friends and loved ones and all who have gone 
               before.
             Put on my golden slippers and walk the streets of gold.
             I will join the choir of angels praising the Father and 
               the Son.
             You are talking about a glorious meeting loved ones 
               greeting when I get home.
             You are talking about joy; oh what joy, when we all get 
               home to glory.
             We will rest beneath a sun lit sky.
             In that land, in that land, we shall sing and never die.
             We will sing hallelujah; shout hallelujah, bye and bye.

               Sleep on Juanita we will see you in the morning. There 
             is more to life than we can see and still more existence 
             that is yet to be.
             [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TONGRESS.#15
             

             [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T4800.002
             
             A Celebration of the Life of

             The Honorable

                             Juanita Millender-McDonald

                             California's 37th District

                          September 7, 1938-April 21, 2007

                                United States Capitol
                                    Statuary Hall
                               Thursday, May 17, 2007
                                     10:00 a.m.

             ``It is imperative that we continue to speak out for 
             positive change. As women our voices and initiatives will 
             enable us to achieve the lives we want--and deserve.''

                            --Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald


             Program

                                       Prelude

                          United States Army String Quartet

                                Master of Ceremonies

                            The Honorable Diane E. Watson

                       United States House of Representatives

                                   Opening Prayer

                            The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver

                       United States House of Representatives

                                       Reading

                      Proverbs 31:8-11 and I Corinthians 15:10

                          The Honorable Sheila Jackson-Lee

                       United States House of Representatives

                                      Tributes

                               Ms. Barbara A. McKinzie

                International President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, 
                                    Incorporated

                         The Honorable Carolyn C. Kilpatrick

                       United States House of Representatives

                        Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman

                            The Honorable David E. Dreier

                       United States House of Representatives

                                  Musical Selection

                                  ``Precious Lord''

                            Officer Melissa A. Recchiuti

                            United States Capitol Police

                                  Family Reflection

                               Ms. Valerie J. McDonald

                                      Tributes

                           The Honorable James E. Clyburn

                    Majority Whip of the United States House of 
                                   Representatives

                              The Honorable Steny Hoyer

                   Majority Leader of the United States House of 
                                   Representatives

                             The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

                Speaker of the United States House of Representatives

                                     Benediction

                           The Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin

               Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives


             Barbara A. McKinzie. Good morning to our honored Members 
             of Congress, family of our beloved soror, and others 
             assembled:
               To the family, we grieve with you in the loss of one so 
             special. We are gathered here in white as a symbol of our 
             Ivy Beyond the Wall memorial service. Servant leadership 
             is the journey of choice of each and every Alpha Kappa 
             Alpha woman. Some of us are blessed to reach heights that 
             others only dream of and certainly, our soror, Juanita, 
             was truly a blessed servant leader. She was a light of 
             grace, dignity, and hope. Let us honor her memory by being 
             lights of grace, dignity, and hope and thereby never 
             forgetting her contributions.
               In Alpha Kappa Alpha we have a tradition of saying, 
             ``For if I've been an AKA, life owes me naught, I've lived 
             my day.'' Our prayers and thoughts will be with the family 
             in their grief.


             Carolyn C. Kilpatrick. To our sister, the queen, the 
             leader, the dignified, the courageous: we promise to you 
             we will never let you down. We promise to you we will 
             continue to build the kingdom that God asked us to build 
             as we walk the halls of Congress. We say to you our 
             sister, rest in peace. We shall continue to lift up our 
             mighty race, and we will, in Godspeed, take you with us 
             always.
               On behalf of the entire body of the Congressional Black 
             Caucus, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the 
             family of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. 
             Juanita was not only our colleague, but she was also a 
             woman of supreme character, a devoted leader, and a dear 
             friend.
               History will record her as the first African American 
             woman to chair a full committee in the U.S. House of 
             Representatives; our hearts will revere her as a fearless 
             leader who vowed to enhance our local and global 
             communities through tireless service and timely advocacy.
               Most were unaware of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's 
             stellar background. A portrait of her life includes a 
             gallery of groundbreaking distinctions, including being 
             the first African American woman to serve on the Carson 
             City Council; the first African American woman to render 
             the national Democratic response to President Bush's 
             weekly radio address; the first to be named honorary 
             curator of the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach; 
             and the first Democratic chair of the Congressional Caucus 
             for Women's Issues. Undoubtedly, serving in the U.S. House 
             of Representatives was the right stage for this shining 
             star.
               Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald will be sorely 
             missed. Her lasting commitment to making America honor its 
             promise will remain unbridled. The CBC will continue to 
             carry on the work of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald as 
             we change course, confront crises, and continue the 
             legacy.


              David E. Dreier. This is a very sad occasion for me 
             personally. Juanita Millender-McDonald was both my friend 
             and my neighbor. We were next-door neighbors here in 
             Washington, DC, and we had neighboring districts in 
             Southern California.
               In fact, in Juanita's first re-election, there was a mix 
             up of sample ballots in our two districts. Several of my 
             precincts got ballots with Juanita's name on them, and 
             several of her precincts got ballots with my name on them. 
             I was very concerned Juanita was going to win both 
             districts.
               Juanita, as we all remember, would call everyone 
             ``babe.'' I always thought she just didn't know my name . 
             . . until she needed an amendment, and then it was 
             ``Dreier, I need a rule.''
               As we worked together over the years on a number of 
             issues of importance to Southern California, I grew to 
             have a great deal of respect for her as a trailblazer on 
             so many issues. One issue that I know she was very proud 
             to champion was the Alameda Corridor Project.
               As a senior Democrat on the House Transportation and 
             Infrastructure Committee, Juanita championed this critical 
             project with great enthusiasm, and worked tirelessly in a 
             bipartisan way--always willing to share credit in order to 
             help accomplish what needed to be done. Becoming the first 
             woman to ever chair the Committee on House Administration 
             was the culmination of a career marked by commitment and 
             leadership.
               She was a very proud alumna of the University of 
             Redlands. She went to the University at age 40 and got her 
             degree. I have tremendous admiration for the tenacity that 
             drove her to obtain her degree at mid-life, and pursue a 
             very distinguished career in public service. Many of us 
             have commented on what a shock her passing was. We all 
             knew that Juanita was not well, but very few knew the 
             seriousness of her illness. Her ability to carry on and 
             persevere for so long through such adversity is a 
             testament to her strength and dedication to her 
             constituents.
               Her passing is a tremendous loss to my State of 
             California and to this institution. I will miss my 
             neighbor.


             James E. Clyburn. Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald 
             was known for her spirit and commitment to this body 
             through her work as chairwoman of the House Administration 
             Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure 
             Committee, the Congressional Black Caucus and the 
             Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues among other 
             groups. She was highly regarded for her work to correct 
             voting irregularities and voter disenfranchisement, ending 
             human trafficking, defending women's rights across the 
             globe, and stopping genocide in Cambodia, Darfur, and 
             other countries where human rights are threatened.
               She was a dear friend with whom I shared a love of 
             history and a passion for politics. We often reminisced 
             about our Southern roots and experiences as PKs 
             (preachers' kids). She will be sorely missed by our 
             Members and for me her death is a personal loss as well. 
             Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends 
             during this difficult time.


             Steny Hoyer. Our friend and colleague, Congresswoman 
             Juanita Millender-McDonald, had a God-given gift for 
             public service. And in the words of Tennyson, she never 
             once let it ``rust unburnished, not to shine in use.''
               Juanita personified what it means to serve others before 
             serving yourself.
               Early in life, she chose to put the hopes and dreams of 
             her children before her own--working hard to ensure that 
             they would enjoy every opportunity she and her husband, 
             James, could provide.
               And when her children were children no more, Juanita 
             turned her attention to her community--fighting injustice 
             and inequity, and working tirelessly on behalf of those 
             who had yet to realize the American dream.
               Because Juanita understood that education was the key to 
             unlocking her budding potential as an agent for change and 
             social justice, she achieved something extraordinary by 
             returning to school in her forties and earning a 
             bachelor's degree from Redlands University and a master's 
             degree from California State University.
               And once she had prepared herself for the challenges 
             ahead, she touched thousands of lives as a teacher in the 
             Los Angles Unified School District, the first African 
             American woman to serve on the Carson City Council, the 
             first African American woman to chair two committees in 
             the California State Assembly, and, eventually, the first 
             African American woman to chair a full committee in the 
             U.S. Congress.
               To the people of California's 37th District--as well as 
             everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her during her 
             time in the People's House--Juanita was an inspiration--
             someone who never allowed the conventions of the world 
             around her to dictate the role she would play.
               She was a pioneer in every sense of the word. And she 
             will be deeply missed.
               F. Scott Fitzgerald once defined America as a 
             ``willingness of the heart.'' And Juanita Millender-
             McDonald was a leader who understood precisely what 
             Fitzgerald was talking about. She was always willing to 
             give of herself for the benefit of others--and I am 
             eternally grateful for the opportunity to work so closely 
             with her for so many years.


             Nancy Pelosi. Good morning. Thank you, Congresswoman 
             Watson, for bringing us together this morning so that we 
             once again can express our love and pay tribute to our 
             dear friend, our girlfriend, Juanita Millender-McDonald, 
             or as she liked to be called, Madam Chairwoman.
               It is an honor to join all of you, so many of her 
             friends, her sorority sisters, James, Dr. Chappell, to you 
             and certainly to Valerie and to the wonderful family. Yes, 
             we loved seeing those children here in the Capitol. When 
             they weren't here she talked about them all the time. One 
             only had to visit her office to see as a mother, a 
             grandmother and a wife what was important to her.
               I told my colleagues when we came back from the 
             funeral--the mayor of Los Angeles was there for the full 3 
             hours, the Speaker of the House, Willy Graham, the former 
             Speaker was there, representatives of every aspect of the 
             official religious community life of her district and our 
             State were there. But the greatest tribute of all was not 
             what was said by the elected officials. The most beautiful 
             tributes, of course, came from her children. But the 
             greatest tribute to me, as a grandmother, was that her 
             grandchildren cried at her funeral. It was so moving, 
             wasn't it, Valerie? We were all so touched. They accepted 
             the flag in her honor. Their tears were shed. You could 
             see their personal closeness to her.
               As has been said, Juanita was raised in the segregated 
             South. Growing up, Juanita saw voting rights being denied 
             in Birmingham, AL. She blazed a trail to become the first 
             African American woman to chair a committee in the 
             Congress. It was historic, and it was on merits. We are 
             all very proud of her. In doing so, she brought us closer 
             to the ideal of equality that is America's heritage and 
             hope. She became one of our Nation's great champions so 
             that every vote counts and that every person who is 
             eligible to vote can vote. It was about the legitimacy of 
             our democracy, it was about the fairness of our system, 
             and it was about the respect that we all had for her.
               It is fitting that we are gathered here in Statuary 
             Hall, and I just want to depart from what I've intended to 
             say because the spirit is moving me to a different 
             direction, Madam Chair. The chair of the Congressional 
             Black Caucus, Congresswoman Kilpatrick, always tells us to 
             speak where the spirit moves us; she always does. When I 
             was hearing the ``Beautiful Precious Lord'' song that was 
             sung so beautifully, all I could think of was that Juanita 
             is calling the Lord ``Precious'' right now, because she 
             called all of us ``Precious.'' She called the mayor of Los 
             Angeles ``Precious.'' She called Senator Boxer 
             ``Precious.'' I don't know if she called Senator Feinstein 
             ``Precious,'' but she may have. So I'm sure she's calling 
             the Lord ``Precious'' right up there.
               But what I wanted to tell you was, and Mr. Clyburn and I 
             have discussed this, while we are in Statuary Hall, it is 
             appropriate that we are paying tribute to her here. 
             Valerie, she loved you so much. When President Lincoln 
             made his second Inaugural Address, which some considered 
             his greatest speech, it was the first time that blacks 
             came to an inauguration as free people, as a class and 
             met. Of course, it was the Emancipation Proclamation, and 
             then they came. For a couple of days before the 
             inauguration it was raining and storming, and the streets 
             were full of mud. Of course, they were dirt roads to begin 
             with, but they were full of mud, and it was a mess. 
             Washington was a mess. People sought shelter in the 
             Capitol when they came to attend the inauguration of 
             President Abraham Lincoln. And so the white folks who came 
             had on their foul weather gear. They just had on their 
             worst clothes, because it was such terrible weather, and 
             they didn't want to get their clothes dirty.
               But the blacks who came, came in their Sunday finest. 
             They were dressed beautifully. So beautifully that, 160 
             years later, the author who wrote the book on Lincoln's 
             greatest speech commented that this was the remarkable 
             thing about Lincoln's second inaugural. He didn't live 
             much longer after his Inaugural Address, but what he saw 
             at his inaugural was black Americans coming as free people 
             dressed to the hilt. And Chairwoman Millender-McDonald 
             honored that tradition. It was right here in Statuary Hall 
             where people sought shelter and slept against these 
             columns. All of you in the sorority who honor that 
             tradition--and I see that you do--note that it has strong 
             roots in our democracy, in our having freedom extended to 
             people and being accepted with the greatest dignity. It 
             was with the greatest dignity that Chairwoman Millender-
             McDonald served here.
               She was the mayor of Capitol Hill, as mentioned by 
             Congresswoman Jackson-Lee. She went around talking to 
             everyone. She, of course, loved the people of her 
             congressional district. After her family and her faith, 
             they were her first priority. Millions of people around 
             the world have lost an advocate for justice. Juanita spoke 
             out forcefully against the genocide in Darfur and was a 
             powerful advocate for the rise of women everywhere.
               We've talked about mayors and Senators and 
             Congresspeople and the rest. Three trainloads of Members 
             of Congress went to her funeral. That was recognized by 
             all who attended that beautiful tribute of love and 
             respect for her. I thought it was interesting that no 
             matter how exalted her friends were and all the tributes 
             she received from her former colleagues in the State 
             legislature, the mayor of Los Angeles, and others, this 
             tribute came from Albert Cary Caswell. He's a worker here 
             in the Capitol. When she died, he extended his sympathies, 
             and he said, ``I wrote a poem for Chairwoman Millender-
             McDonald. I loved her.'' An ordinary worker in the 
             Capitol. While she was receiving tributes from Lorraine 
             Miller, the new Clerk at the House, who brought these 
             three trainloads of Members of Congress to her funeral, I 
             thought it was important for her friends there and here 
             today to hear from someone considered an ordinary worker 
             in the Capitol. Certainly not ordinary. He wrote a poem:

             Black is beautiful,
             And Juanita, so were you
             A woman of character through and through
             One of dignity, as are you
             So dignified, who strived
             Who so ever held her head up high so true
             A freedom fighter who so fought for all
             Who, like King and Parks, worked
             For a far, far better world that they so saw
             It's time to rest a fine lady our Nation blessed
             And now an angel of our Lord
             To fight the good fight as the shining light
             And as an angel forevermore.

               ``An angel forevermore'': our precious Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald.


             Daniel P. Coughlin. Almighty and merciful God, eternal 
             Shepherd of Your people, You are forever the just reward 
             for those who serve You faithfully and the consolation of 
             those who love sincerely, tender in moments of 
             understanding and strong when strength is needed.
                Shower with consolation the family, constituents, 
             colleagues, staff and friends of Congresswoman Juanita 
             Millender-McDonald.
               As love and justice have bound them together in this 
             life, may eternal hope and loving trust strengthen their 
             steps in the way of peace and draw all to Your everlasting 
             truth.
               Almighty and merciful Lord, in this life as in every 
             life, attentive to Your Word, the Holy Scriptures are 
             fulfilled. Today we commend to You our sister, Juanita, in 
             the sure and certain hope that together with all who have 
             lived and died calling upon Your holy Name, she will live 
             with You and rise in glory on the last day.
               We give you thanks for all the blessings which Your 
             Divine Providence bestowed upon Juanita in this life both 
             in family and service in the 37th District of California 
             and the Nation here in the House of Representatives.
               These signs of goodness are a lasting memorial to her 
             legacy and a sign of our oneness in Your sight.
               O Lord our God, Spirit dwelling in broken and healing 
             hearts, Your days are without end and Your mercies beyond 
             counting, keep us who remain here a little while longer 
             mindful that life is short. Help us to comfort one another 
             with assurances of faith. Guide our days on earth in the 
             ways of holiness and justice, that we may serve You 
             together and one day be reunited with our sister and with 
             You in the great and glorious marriage feast of the 
             Resurrected Lamb, our Lord and Savior.
               Thank you for gathering here to celebrate the life and 
             memory of Juanita Millender-McDonald.
                Let us go now in the peace of the Lord, for it is in 
             God we trust as we walk into the future.
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