Donald M. Payne: “yesterday we lost a devoted colleague and friend, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Congresswoman…”

“yesterday we lost a devoted colleague and friend, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents in the 37th Congressional District of California. As we know, prior to her coming to Congress, she made a name for herself as the first African American woman to serve on the City Council in Carson City and the chairwoman of two powerful committees, Insurance and Revenue. But many people don't know that in recognition of women who served our country in uniform during wartime, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald initiated the first annual Memorial Day Tribute to Women in the Military at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. And she led the fight to secure $15 million for the maintenance of the memorial. She also secured $50 million for counseling services for our returning men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bold initiatives have been her trademark. In 2005, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, along with other CBC members, unveiled a portrait of Joseph Rainey, the first African-American to be seated in Congress. She was very proud of that because she contacted members of his family who are alive today, and there was a tremendous celebration. Internationally, she spoke out against genocide in Cambodia and Darfur and other regions of the world where human rights are in danger.”