Expressing Sorrow Of The House At The Death Of The Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, Member Of Congress From The State Of California

Floor Speech

EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 24, 2007)

* Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to remember a pioneering woman, a fearless advocate for justice and equality, and a remarkable trailblazer who was dedicated to improving the lives of others. Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald embodied all that members of Congress strive to be: she was a masterful navigator of Washington politics; she was a tireless champion for her constituents in Southern California; she was a focused and determined activist for the less fortunate all over the world. She was also a dear friend and valued colleague to those of us in Congress, and to so many others who were fortunate enough to know her on both a personal and professional level.

* As the first African-American woman ever to wield the gavel of a full Congressional committee, Juanita was proof of the milestones that can be achieved through dedication, intelligence, and political acumen. Her steady rise through the hierarchy of California politics--from a seat on the Carson City Council to a position in the California State Assembly, and finally to the Halls of Congress--instilled in her an unshakeable allegiance to the people who repeatedly elected her.

* Juanita's intense loyalty to her constituents was reflected in their own well-placed faith that she would represent them in a principled and thoughtful manner. She never let them down; indeed, her record as a public figure was characterized by an attention to the needs of her constituents, by a single-minded focus on achieving equality, and by adherence to the principle that democratic government; should help those most in need.

* Everything Juanita did was colored by her passionate quest for equality. She used this intensity to her advantage, emerging as an effective and authoritative advocate for women's rights at home and abroad. Never afraid to tackle controversial issues or to use her position as a bullhorn for reform, Juanita's energy and enthusiasm for advancing the cause of women's rights propelled her into a leadership role from her earliest days in Washington.

* Innovative ideas on this score seemed to emanate from Juanita. She convened a first-of-its-kind meeting between women members of Congress and female Supreme Court justices to discuss women's issues. She carried the Families First Agenda to more than thirty states for the first time. She served as the first Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. Through it all, Juanita was masterful at marshaling well-known and influential individuals to her cause without ever losing sight of her goal, which was to help create a society committed to justice, fairness, and equality.

* It is fitting that Juanita was such an outspoken and effective advocate for women's rights, for perhaps her greatest strength lay in her identity as a woman. She demonstrated for all of us--men and women alike--that being a member of Congress, a mother, and a grandmother at the same time was not merely a challenge. For Juanita, it was a blessing to be embraced and cherished. As a grandmother myself, I looked to her as a role model for how to integrate the unique challenges of having a family with the equally exciting responsibilities that come from serving in Congress. Two of the most rewarding pleasures in life are raising a family and working for the public, and Juanita's life is solid proof that a dedicated and forthright individual can accomplish both with poise, grace, and dignity.

* I extend my deepest condolences to Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's family. While this week my fellow Members and I lost a trusted colleague, confidant, and friend, their loss resonates more deeply than we can know. Nonetheless, I know that I speak for all of the Congress when I say that Juanita Millender-McDonald was someone we admired on a personal and professional level, someone whose absence will leave a void within us, and someone whose legacy of principled and determined leadership will not be forgotten.

Source