[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9878]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       ON THE PASSING OF CONGRESSWOMAN JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 4, 2007, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland, the 
distinguished majority leader, Mr. Hoyer.
  Mr. HOYER. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  It is with deep sadness that I rise today to note the passing of our 
colleague and friend, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, a 
dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of her 
constituents in California's 37th Congressional District and a devoted 
representative who cared deeply for those she served.
  Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was someone who never allowed the 
conventions of her surroundings to define the role she would play. 
Because she understood that education would unlock her budding 
potential as a community leader, Juanita achieved something 
extraordinary by earning a bachelor's degree from Redlands University 
at the age of 40, and a master's degree from California State 
University at the age of 47.
  Because she recognized her duty to give back just a little of what 
she had learned, Juanita made our children's future her life's work by 
teaching math and English in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
  Because she could not sit idly by when she had much to offer, Juanita 
turned to public service in 1990, becoming the first African American 
woman to serve on the Carson city council, the first African American 
woman to chair two committees in the California State assembly, and the 
first African American woman to chair a full committee in the U.S. 
Congress.
  And because she never let go of her abiding faith in the fact that 
our tomorrows can be better than our todays, Juanita will be 
remembered, remembered as a leader who inspired action, drove progress 
and labored diligently to improve the lives of people throughout our 
Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the advocates of equal rights for women and minorities 
have lost a powerful voice in the U.S. Congress, one that always sought 
to bring people together by elevating the bonds that unite us as 
Americans and as human beings. Children and the working poor have lost 
a compassionate ally. Men and women seeking to participate in their own 
governance have lost a steadfast guardian of voting rights who fought 
to expand the reach of democracy, not only in spirit but in practice as 
well. And defenders of human rights have lost a champion of their cause 
who never missed an opportunity to remind the free world of its 
obligation to help alleviate suffering and restore fundamental human 
dignity to those who have gone without it for far too long, such as 
those suffering in Darfur. Juanita Millender-McDonald personified what 
it means to serve others before serving self.
  Mr. Speaker, I want Juanita's husband, James, and her children and 
grandchildren to know that the thoughts and prayers of a grateful 
Nation are with them as they mourn their loss. We join them in their 
mourning but we also join them in their joy of a life well-lived.

                          ____________________