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Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald
Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald
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Juanita Millender-McDonald Obituary
Millender-McDonald died Saturday at her home in Carson, said her chief of staff, Bandele McQueen.
The congresswoman had asked for a four- to six-week leave of absence from the House last week to deal with her illness. McQueen couldn't immediately provide details on what form of cancer Millender-McDonald had, but said she had been receiving hospice care.
Carson Mayor Jim Dear told the Los Angeles Times that Millender-McDonald had colon cancer that had metastasized to her liver.
Millender-McDonald represented a heavily Democratic southern California district that includes Compton, Long Beach and parts of Los Angeles. This year she became the first black woman to chair the Committee on House Administration, which oversees operations of the House and federal election procedures.
Millender-McDonald is the second member of Congress to die this year of cancer. Republican Rep. Charles Norwood Jr. of Georgia died in February after battling cancer and lung disease.
Millender-McDonald was elected to the Carson City Council in 1990. She went on to serve in the California state Assembly, and in 1996 sought a U.S. House seat during a special election to replace Rep. Walter Tucker III, who had been convicted of taking bribes while mayor of Compton and of cheating on his taxes.
She won the special election, and in March beat out Tucker's wife, Robin, in a primary that featured nine Democrats. She won a full House term in November 1996 and has subsequently won re-election easily.
Millender-McDonald has recently worked on issues including election reform and opposing the genocide in Darfur.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
44 Entries
Oscar Edwards
September 21, 2021
Thinking of you, Congresswoman Juanita Millender McDonald, and how supportive, calm and confident she was in her role of leadership. In these times we need more leaders like her who built collectives and designed strategies that effectively kept our eyes on the prize to benefit our communities. To model, her work is the legacy we have that is eternal. As has been said thank you so much for your service. In Peace.
Dimitri Thomas
July 6, 2007
congresswoman juanita mcdonald was an aggressive figher and speaker for all amerians,nation,and unions figure at the 2002 Minnesota APWU National Convention and 2004 Los Angeles APWU National Convention at that time in this decade. I was proud of her success and her powerful determination at the Martin Luther King Park Conference in Long Beach, Ca. in Jan.2007 after the parade. So we should hopnor her monument name in Long Beach or Wash.D.C. or Los Angeles after historic condolence .
Dr. Laura Dortch-Edler
June 17, 2007
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
How you can show support
Zeeda Daniele
May 3, 2007
I will truly miss the Congresswoman. I got to know her personally over the last few years and found her, funny, passionate and inspiring. Her job was in CONGRESS but her love was of PEOPLE. All those that knew her, no how great our loss truly is. Please support the causes she championed Seniors, Woman, Children and African American HIV/Aids Education & Awareness.
Deonna Gene Moore
May 3, 2007
Such a tremendous loss to our nation. Rep. Millender-McDonald was such a beacon of joy and hope. I enjoyed meeting and speaking with her at all of the CBC Annual Legislative Conferences. She had a beautiful personality and a real love for the constiuents she represented, as well as all people. This nation will never be the same.
My prayers and thoughts are with your family at this difficult time. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Although she is not longer with us physically, her spirit and works live on forever.
Campbell Carolyn
May 2, 2007
What an ideal role model. Each time that I a pleasure in meeting Mrs. McDonald she exhibited the qualities of superb womanhood. Thank you for all that was done on behalf of her constituents.
Joanne Williams, MD
April 27, 2007
My heart weeps! You are missed. Your life touched my soul and my spirit.
Sarah Dortch Quarker
April 26, 2007
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Joe Harris
April 25, 2007
Juanita you will always be in my heart,and To the family just keep looking up.
Love
Joe
josie davis
April 24, 2007
with deepest sympathy
Shirley James
April 24, 2007
May GOD grant you comfort during your time of bereavement
Michael Tindzley
April 24, 2007
Rest in Peace my sister.
Christine Gamble-The Boeing Co
April 24, 2007
We will all miss you juanita, your outreach for the Minority Community and for those of us who work in Supplier Diversity for Corporate America that you have supported through the years. May God welcome you into his kingdom.
L F Stephens
April 24, 2007
You were such a strong remarkable Congresswoman, and you will be missed. All Californians should have been proud to have you represent them. God Bless you and may you rest in peace.
Had I been fortunate enough to live in your district It would have been an honor.
Sheila Smith
April 24, 2007
Rest in Peace Juanita.
Anonymous
April 23, 2007
My condolences and prayers goes out to the family. May God be with you always, and keep you in His perfect peace. "I Salute
Rep.McDonald".
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Compton
April 23, 2007
To the Family of Congresswoman McDonald: Thank you for allowing her to share her light with the world. Her commitment to public service was shared by her family. And, we as a community--black, brown yellow or white, are all better because of her gift of service
jessie forward
April 23, 2007
all my hopes go out to the family i am a friend of the grandchildren you have every bit of my heart
April 23, 2007
I am deeply saddened by the lost of your loved one. At times like these it is comforting to know that the Bible tells us at Acts 24 verse 15 that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. So with that knowledge, know that there is a hope that you will see your loved one again.
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
April 23, 2007
REST IN PEACE, JUANITA
REV.RAVEL GREEN
April 23, 2007
I'M SORRY TO HEAR OF REP.MC DONALD'S PASSING.THE FAMILY HAVE OUR DEEPEST SYNPATHY FOR EVEN YEARS TO COME.
Cletis Tolliver Jr
April 23, 2007
My prayer goes to you and your family. You have made it possible for many blackAmericans today to survive and listen.May God bless you.
Linda S. Brooks
April 23, 2007
May God Bless the family of Rep. McDonald and give them strength in their time of sorrow.
Grace Durham & Family
April 23, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Jen
April 23, 2007
RIP Rep. Millender-McDonald. You fought your battle as best you could, now enjoy everlasting peace and love with God.
May your family have God's arms wrapped tightly around them in their time of need.
Jen
April 23, 2007
RIP Rep. Millender-McDonald. May God be with your family at their time of need.
Jo Huerta
April 23, 2007
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
PAT BOHANNON
April 23, 2007
MY PRAYERS TO JUANITA'S FAMILY, FATHER GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AND STRENGHTEN EACH OF THEM.
Olive Griffin
April 23, 2007
Thank you Rep Mcdonald for a job well done. RIP a great woman had been recieved in God Kingdom. To the family you have my thoughts and prayers.
Ennis Millender
April 23, 2007
Family and Friends:
May God Bless and keep you at this time of great loss.
The Family of
Justice Court Judge Ennis Millender, Sr.
Marion Jones
April 23, 2007
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Beverly Watkins
April 23, 2007
May God give the family strength in this time of their sorrow.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Rest In Peace, Mrs Millender-McDonald, "I Salute You!!!"
Yalonda Lawler
April 23, 2007
My condolences and prayers for the family of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald.
Barbara McCrary
April 23, 2007
My heartfelt condolences to the family in your time of loss. God does heal.
April 23, 2007
GIVE HONOR TO GOD
May God keep and lift,
the family in the name
of Jesus Christ.
Mrs Diana Winston.
South Bend IND
Abdul Dollar
April 23, 2007
She was a Greater Leader of the people she will be greatly miss.
Ronda Rosier
April 23, 2007
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
MS. BARNWELL
April 23, 2007
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007
Carmen Thomas
April 23, 2007
McDonald Family
May you find peace in the Lord. Remember all the good deeds that was sow here on earth and cherrish each momment of her Life
Brandon Jackson
April 23, 2007
God Bless the family of Juanita Millender-McDonald
May God continue to comfort you in this time of need.
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