Congresswoman Millender-McDonald (D-CA) dies

[deadparrot]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., died early Sunday of cancer, an aide said. Millender-McDonald, who was 68, died at her home in Carson, Calif., said her chief of staff, Bandele McQueen.

McQueen could provide no details on what form of cancer Millender-McDonald had.

The congresswoman had asked for a four- to six-week leave of absence from the House last week to deal with her illness.

She was in her seventh term representing a Southern California district that includes Compton, Long Beach and parts of Los Angeles.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070422/ap_on_go_co/congresswoman_dies

[Bleys]

1. Rep. Millender-McDonald dies of cancer

Source: AP

Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, D-Calif., died early Sunday of cancer, an aide said.

Millender-McDonald, who was 68, died at her home in Carson, Calif., said her chief of staff, Bandele McQueen.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18261426/

[babylonsister]

2. So sad, relatively young. Sounds like she went fast. Here's 'The Hill' link:

http://thehill.com/leadinhttp://thehill.com/leading-the-news/rep.-millender-mcdonald-dies-aide-says-2007-04-22.htmlg-the-news/rep.-millender-mcdonald-dies-aide-says-2007-04-22.html

[MADem]

3. Well now that is just terrible.

Not just for her family but for her as well. She finally got a shot at this task, and she gets taken--life isn't fair:

This year she became chair of the Committee on House Administration, which oversees operations of the House and federal election procedures.

[cascadiance]

5. Hope they get someone in good to replace her as chair on this committee...

... to ensure that we don't have any "games" being played with election machines in a special election to replace her down here... Is she in a pretty safe district? Maybe a letter campaign to Debra Bowen is in order to make sure she eyeballs how this election is done personally to ensure it is done right this time and not the mess we had down here in District 50 with the Cunningham replacement race!

I still am dumfounded how our frickin' Board of Supervisors, etc. down here have the nerve to grab someone let go from Cuyahoga County Ohio (Michael Vu) to take over the mess that Mikel Haas had been managing here as Registar of Voters, who just got promoted! Our situation here doesn't seem to be improving any!

As you say, a sad day indeed! Life isn't fair!

[Zynx]

8. Dude, she represents Compton and Long Beach. No Republican need apply.

[cascadiance]

9. Cool, that's good to know.

I guess that is where "safe districting" now helps us at the moment...

[nini]

19. yep.. it's a Democratic stronghold

I used to live in her district but now we're in Harmon's - She's a Dem too, but not enough at times.

[cascadiance]

28. So who do you think might run for her seat now (where they are very likely to win)

Charlie Brown (or do you think he might wait for Doolittle to get nailed in the new investigation coming out)?

Given that Marcy Winograd ran against Harmon in the primary who sounds like is in a neighboring district and is a very good progressive candidate, should we try to get her to run?

Once again, my best wishes to Ms. Millender-McDonald's family.

[flamingyouth]

4. Very sad news.

So sorry to hear it. :(

[bemildred]

6. RIP. nt

[Cha]

7. So sorry to hear this..

RIP~ Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald!O8)

[bluestateguy]

10. She was a committee chair wasn't she?

My condolences to her family and her district.

[mikelgb]

12. Yes.

[mikelgb]

11. A shock and a loss for our CA delegation.

[Chovexani]

13. What a shame.

My condolences and best wishes to her family and constituents.

[pat_k]

14. Rep. Millender-McDonald dies of cancer

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (http://millender-mcdonald.house.gov/HoR/CA37/Biography">bio), D-Calif., died early Sunday of cancer, an aide said. Millender-McDonald, who was 68, died at her home in Carson, Calif., said her chief of staff, Bandele McQueen. . . had.

The congresswoman had asked for a four- to six-week leave of absence from the House last week to deal with her illness.

She was in her seventh term representing a Southern California district that includes Compton, Long Beach and parts of Los Angeles.

This year she became chair of the Committee on House Administration, which oversees operations of the House and federal election procedures.

Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/printer2/index.asp?ploc=t&refer=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1153AP_Congresswoman_Dies.html?source=mypi

---

A loss to the nation, and to our fight for believable elections. From the Sarasota Herald Tribune just 3 weeks ago:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070330&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=703300510&SectionCat=&Template=printart">Democrats press on with voting probe
By JEREMY WALLACE

With or without Republicans, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are pushing ahead with a congressional investigation into the voting dispute in Sarasota County. . .

U.S. Rep. Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas, said he has done everything he can to encourage Republicans to put someone on the panel. But, he said, he needs to get moving on setting up the organizational structure of the task force.

On Thursday, the chairman of the House task force charged with reviewing the disputed 13th Congressional District battle set the first meeting of the new group for April 17, even though Republicans have refused to appoint a member to the panel.

"All I can do is invite Republicans to participate," Gonzalez said. "It is strictly up to them to decide." . . .

Thirteen percent of voters in Sarasota County failed to have a choice register for the race. The undervote was less than 5 percent of the voters in the four other counties that make up the 13th District. . .

Over the last two weeks, Democrats have become more aggressive in pushing the issue in Washington, frustrated at the discovery of a previously undisclosed memo that shows the voting machine company warned Sarasota County of potential "issues" with the machines three months before the election. . .

"I cannot sit idly by and allow this statement of malfunctioning equipment made prior to the election to be ignored," said Millender-McDonald, chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, which created the task force. . .

_______________________________________

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4444">In Memoriam from Brad Blog

[Fridays Child]

15. Sad, sad news.

:(

[nini]

16. Nooooo...

Though I'm not in her district I know she was a wonderful woman - what a loss to us all.


:cry: :cry:

[RestoreGore]

33. my condolences to her family and her constituents n/t

[journalist3072]

17. I am just absolutely stunned. I had no idea she was ill.

My prayers go out to her family and to her constituents.

[Olney Blue]

18. Seven terms..... this says alot. We will miss you, Rep. Millender-McDonald.

:cry:

[midnight]

20. Seven terms says alot. But what a lovely looking women.

So sad for her family to lose her.

[oasis]

21. Rest in peace, good lady.

[derby378]

22. I'm sorry to hear about this

Good on her for going after the link between crack cocaine sales in the US and the Nicaraguan contras.

[shenmue]

23. Rest in peace

68 is too early. :cry:

[crossroads]

24. Cancer Respects No One!

It's an epidemic here in Louisiana! Everyone I know has been touched by it in their family or friends! So sad to hear this news! RIP!

[geiger]

27. cancer knows no respect

[UrbScotty]

25. RIP (nt)

[benny05]

26. John and Elizabeth Edwards Share Their Thoughts on Her Passing

Elizabeth and I join a grateful nation in remembering Congresswoman Millender-McDonald and the tremendous impact she had on our country. Throughout her career and her life, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald broke down barriers for women and African Americans, making it easier for future generations to share in the opportunities of our country. We are thankful for her service to our country and will miss her strength, courage and conviction. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time."

I have a feeling they know what this means for the Congresswoman and her family.

[salin]

29. RIP and thank you for your public service. n/t

[truthisfreedom]

30. My heart goes out to her friends and family. Who will replace her? How is this choice made?

Does the Governator do it?

[cascadiance]

35. Don't know if it depends on local laws or not, but Governator didn't replace Cunningscam!

We had a special election then. I think that only applies to replacing senators...

I'd like to think that Marcy Winograd might run for it since she was a good progressive choice running against Jane Harmon in the primary for a neighboring district last election. Maybe Charlie Brown too, but I'm guessing he's waiting to see if Doolittle survives or not and probably won't run if Doolittle's future isn't known soon.

[ChazII]

31. Rest in peace.

Condolences to her family and friends.

[KingFlorez]

32. Very sad news

Rest in Peace, Rep. Millender-McDonald

[IronLionZion]

34. RIP Congresswoman. You will be missed. nt

[AnOhioan]

36. RIP Congresswoman