[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E870]
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. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2007

  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 the 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 Madelene 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 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.

                          ____________________