Barbara Boxer: “today I honor the memory of Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald, a kind-hearted woman whose remarkable life…”

“today I honor the memory of Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald, a kind-hearted woman whose remarkable life touched so many of us. Juanita was a loving mother, and a dedicated public servant who approached her work with an upbeat attitude and can-do spirit that was an inspiration to us all. Her passing is a tragic loss for California, the 37th Congressional District she so ably represented, and the many Members of Congress with whom she has worked over the years. Juanita's career broke through so many barriers for women and African Americans. Her rise as the first African American woman to chair a Congressional Committee was only the latest of many firsts in her career. In her seven terms of service in the House of Representatives, she fought valiantly for the rights of women, for the security of our Nation, and for the protection of human rights across our Nation and the world. Juanita's efforts to reach across the aisle made her one the most effective Members of Congress, but it was her bold initiatives that embodied the courage with which she followed her convictions.”