[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE JUANITA 
  MILLENDER-McDONALD, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2007

  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, Alabama, 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.

                          ____________________