By Jim Berard (202) 226-5064
A bill naming a portion of State Route 91 in Los Angeles County, California, the “Juanita Millender-McDonald Highway” has been signed into law by President Bush.
H.R. 4131, now Public Law 110-441, was approved by the House of Representatives September 29, 2008.
Rep. Millender-McDonald, a long-time Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, died in 2007.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Laura Richardson, who won the special election to fill Millender-McDonald’s seat in the House, and also was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Below is the statement of Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.), Chairman of the Committee:
Floor Statement of The Honorable James L. Oberstar
H.R. 4131, to designate a portion of California State Route 91 located in Los Angeles County, California, as the “Juanita Millender-McDonald Highway”
September 27, 2008
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R.4131 a bill that seeks to designate the portion of California State Route 91 located in Los Angeles County, California, from post mile 10.4 to post mile 11.1, as the “Juanita Millender-McDonald Highway.” I commend the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Richardson, for her work in support of this bill.
This designation would serve as a fitting tribute to Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, whose long record of public service and selflessness left an indelible impression on everyone that had the fortune of being in her company.
Throughout her life, she applied her sharp intellect and compassion to serving the public good, not only as an elected official but as a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Congresswoman Millender-McDonald’s distinguished career in public office began on the City Council of Carson, California. She served in the California State Assembly from 1993 to 1996, before being elected the House of Representatives in where she represented California’s 37th Congressional District until her untimely passing in 2007. In the course of her tenure in Congress, she earned the honor of becoming the first African-American woman to chair a full House Committee, the Committee on House Administration.
Congresswoman Millender-McDonald’s many legislative achievements include the establishment of the first Memorial Day tribute to women in the military at Arlington National Cemetery; and the founding of the League of African-American Women. She was also known for her commitment to protecting international human rights, and worked tirelessly to aid victims of genocide and human trafficking around the globe.
As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a strong supporter of the Alameda Corridor East freight movement project.
On April 22, 2007, we lost not just an admired colleague, but a friend and leader.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4131.
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