[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H3780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CHAIRWOMAN JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

  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 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.

                          ____________________