[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22540]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN CELEBRATION OF VERA McDONALD'S 90TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulat my mother-
in-law, Mrs. Vera McDonald of Los Angeles, California, who celebrated 
her 90th birthday on July 18th of this year.
  Vera Jackson McDonald was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 18, 
1915, to Walter and Lola Jackson. As a young girl and the oldest of 6 
children, Vera spent her formative years assisting her parents in 
caring for her younger siblings and running the household while her 
parents worked.
  In 1942 at the age of 22, Vera married Artie Lee Miller. Although 
they did not have any children of their own, they raised a large family 
after they took custody of their neighbor's six children following the 
parents' tragic and premature death.
  On September 16, 1977, we welcomed Vera into our family when she 
married James McDonald, my father in law, following the passing of her 
first husband, Mr. Miller. At 90 years old, Vera remains a source of 
inspiration and happiness for our entire family. Vera would be the 
first to tell you that, despite her remarkable age, she remains active 
and independent. She doesn't suffer from arthritis or the aches and 
pains of age, and does not need to wear her glasses when reading. She 
is also a woman of strong Christian faith.
  In recognition of a lifetime of generosity and love, I ask my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Vera 
McDonald as she celebrates her 90th birthday.

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