[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1587-E1588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING VONETTA McGEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Vonetta McGee, a trailblazing actress and local 
Bay Area community member. Known for her fearlessness, elegance and 
mastery of her craft, she was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister 
and friend. Vonetta McGee will be remembered for her warm and vivacious 
presence in daily life, as well as her myriad film roles, acting beside 
screen legends such as Jean-Louis Trintignant, Klaus Kinski, Clint 
Eastwood and Sidney Poitier. With Ms. McGee's passing on July 9, 2010, 
we are reminded of her life's journey and the joyful legacy she 
inspired.
  Named for her father, Lawrence Vonetta McGee was born on January 14, 
1945 in San Francisco, California. She graduated from San Francisco 
Polytechnic High School, and briefly studied law at San Francisco State 
University before moving to 1960s Rome, Italy to pursue her passion for 
acting at Cinecitta film studios.
  With the emerging popularity of Spaghetti Westerns, Ms. McGee was 
cast in ``The Great Silence,'' which opened in Italy in 1967, and 
``Faustina,'' a comedy directed by Luigi Magni in 1968. She returned to 
the United States to appear with Sidney Poitier in ``The Lost Man'' 
(1969). And, in the early 1970s, she appeared in a string of 
blaxploitation pictures which made her famous, including ``Blacula,'' 
``Melinda,'' ``Hammer,'' and ``The Big Bust-Out'' in 1972, and ``Shaft 
in Africa'' in 1973.
  These popular genre pictures starring African-American actors are a 
contested, yet important, part of cinematic history. Ms. McGee, 
believing that the ``blaxploitation'' label was a misnomer, imbued all 
of her characters with strength, grace and pride. She was a true 
professional who well knew the value and variety of entertainment. Her 
cast members, crew and directors often noted her kind approachability 
and her commitment to excellence.
  In 1974, she starred in ``Thomasine & Bushrod'' and landed a role in 
Clint

[[Page E1588]]

Eastwood's ``The Eiger Sanction'' the following year. In 1977, she 
starred opposite Bernie Casey and Ron O'Neal in the film, ``Brothers.'' 
Her later movies included ``Repo Man'' in 1984 and ``To Sleep with 
Anger'' in 1990, followed by an increasing amount of episodic 
television work.
  In the mid 1980s, Vonetta McGee met and married the love of her life, 
actor Carl Lumbly, when she was cast as his detective character's wife 
in a Cagney & Lacey episode. They had a son, Brandon, and enjoyed many 
years together as soul mates. Vonetta is survived by her devoted 
husband, son, mother, three brothers and her sister.
  I was always inspired by Vonetta's positive attitude, her clear 
thinking, her politics and her love for humankind. I still remember her 
genuine friendship and her gracious hospitality when she welcomed me 
and my family into her beautiful Berkeley home. She was a friend and an 
amazing talent who will be deeply missed.
  Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors a 
wonderful human being, Ms. Lawrence Vonetta McGee. The contributions 
she made to others throughout her life are countless and precious. My 
thoughts are with Mr. Carl Lumbly, his family, and Vonetta's extended 
group of loved ones as we celebrate her incredible life. May her soul 
rest in peace.

                          ____________________