Date: 2007-04-23
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I thank my colleague for the time. I rise with great sadness to remember my friend. my sorority sister in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and my colleague. JUANITA MILLENDERMCDONALD. And I want to extend my deep condolences to her husband James. her children. friends. and loved ones. I was privileged to serve with her on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. and her diligent service is evident in many of Californias roads. bridges. and highways. I worked with her when she was cochair of the Congressional Womens Caucus. She did it with such charm. grace. poise. and dignity. This body is diminished and dismayed by her sudden absence. but we were inspired and enriched by her presence. Her spirit will live on. Her work will be felt by those who dont even know she helped. We celebrate her life. It was a wonderful. wonderful life. And we love her and her family. Madam Speaker. I rise with great sadness to remember my friend. my sorority sister and my colleague. JUANITA MILLENDERMCDONALD. I want to extend my deep condolences to her husband. James. her children. friends and loved ones. As chairwoman of the Committee on House Administration. Congresswoman MILLENDERMCDONALD will be recorded in history as the first AfricanAmerican woman to chair a full committee of the House. Those of us privileged to know and work with her will remember her tireless advocacy for justice and her example of meaningful public service. Throughout her career. Congresswoman MILLENDERMCDONALD was a friend to womens causes and to young people. Her work to end human trafficking and slow the transmission of AIDS has improved countless lives. The results of her workimproved lives for women and girls worldwide. expanded voting rights for the disenfranchised. greater assistance for thesick and the poorare a testament to her character. From the beginning. Congresswoman MILLENDERMCDONALD was a trailblazer: She was the first AfricanAmerican woman to serve on the Carson. California City Council. In her first term in the California State Assembly. she became the first woman to chair two powerful committees. She. was the first AfricanAmerican woman to give the national Democratic response to President Bushs weekly radio address as well. But for all her firsts. Congresswoman MILLENDERMcDONALD was also a champion for the least and the last. She fought injustice wherever she found it: Whether in the voting booth. the classroom. the research lab. or the workplace. Congresswoman MILLENDERMCDONALD rigorously investigated widespread voting irregularities and disenfranchisement. She was a vocal opponent of genocide around the world and a tireless fighter for human rights. Her MothertoChild HIV/AIDS Transmission Act became the Presidents $15 billion African AIDS initiative. Congresswoman MILLENDERMcDONALD also worked to increase diabetes research in minority and female populations. she pushed the Department of Education to improve the dismal dropout rates among minority high school students and secured millions to reduce the backlog of Equal Employment Opportunity complaints. The first time voters in Ohio can feel more confident their votes will count because of Congresswoman MILLENDERMCDONALD. The elderly diabetics in her home State of Alabama have a better chance of avoiding amputation because of her. She had a hand in granting diplomas to thousands of Native American students growing up on reservations. and countless girls in Cambodia and Sudan have her to thank for a childhood free from kidnapping and assault. They may never know where to direct their gratitude. but the alleviation of their suffering stands as her lasting legacy. Her influence is also inscribed on the physical landscape of Californias 37th district. I was privileged to serve with her on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and her diligent service is evident in many of Californias roads. bridges and highways. Congresswoman MILIENDERMcDONALDS record of exemplary public service includes life memberships in the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She served on the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Board of Directors. and founded the League of AfricanAmerican Women. Congresswoman MILLENDERMCDONALD also founded the Young Advocates to train young people for political leadership. This body is diminished and dismayed by her sudden absence. but we were inspired and enriched by her presence. Her commitment to equal opportunity. civil and human rights will be greatly missed.