Juanita Millender-McDonald passed away early this morning. She was only 68. She has represented Los Angeles (South Central, as well as Long Beach) in the House for over a decade, and was re-elected just in November with over 80% of the vote. She was recently diagnosed with cancer, and only days ago asked Speaker Nancy Pelosi for a brief leave of absence from the House to seek treatment.
She was never afraid to lend her voice to those who needed an advocate most. She believed in equal rights for all Americans, she fought for sensible gun control, she believed in the value of an affordable, accessible healthcare system, and, as a teacher, she knew our country needed to invest much more in our schools and the futures of our children.
It isn’t right to just say “California has lost so much.” It’s not enough. She was to Los Angeles what Paul Wellstone was to Minnesota, what Robert C. Byrd is to West Virginia. You didn’t just vote for (or support) Juanita Millender-McDonald, you believed in her. Because you knew she believed in you.
What a sad day. What a terrible week.
on Apr 22nd, 2007 at 15:18
how many politicians can you say that about? not many. may she rest in peace.