Senator Oropeza, a former LB-Carson Assemblywoman, LB City Councilwoman and LBUSD School Board member, called Cong. Millender-McDonald "someone we regarded as a mentor, role model and a friend"...and speaking as a cancer survivor herself said her "heart goes out to her family friends and the community she so ably served."
We are all deeply saddened by the event that
has brought me here today.
I’m talking about the untimely passing of an
outstanding public servant and someone we regarded as
a mentor, role model and a friend.
As a cancer survivor, my heart goes out to her
family, friends and to the community she so able
served.
As a City Council member, state legislator and
member of Congress, she fought for us all.
God speed, Juanita Millender McDonald. You will be
missed.
During this is time of sadness, we all
recognize that this is a unique moment in American
history.
After six years of George Bush’s incompetence and
misrule, America is ready to move in a new direction.
A new direction that will provide jobs and economic
security to working communities -- not massive tax
reductions for the wealthy.
A new direction that will support and strengthen our
public schools and empower teachers -- not cripple
them with bureaucratic federal micromanagement and
scapegoating.
A new direction that puts the health care of our
citizens before the bloated profits of the
pharmaceutical industry.
A new direction that tackles the massive
environmental issues that threaten our health and
planet -- rather than one that supplants science with
oil company fairy tales.
And finally, a new direction in diplomacy that makes
our nation safer and stronger by building
international cooperation and mutual respect -- not
one that regards military force as our only option.
You can count on me to work with our Democratic
leadership to bring our unfortunate military
misadventure in Iraq to a quick and honorable
resolution.
Since the 1980s, I have worked to serve
this community as a locally elected school board
member, locally elected city council member, locally
elected state Assembly member and now as a locally
elected state Senator.
In each of those positions I worked to bring people
together to solve common problems.
You can count on me to bring that same leadership to
the United States Congress.
You can count on me to be a part of this new
direction for America.
You know that I know this district.
You know that I have served every community at
nearly every level of government.
You know I can be a strong voice in the House of
Representatives.
You know I can be your advocate on trade and
transportation, on health and the environment; and on
defense and security issues involving our local ports.
You know that I know our local schools and that I
will respond to their concerns.
You know I know local government and you know I have
a proven history of bringing state and federal
governments together to tackle our biggest community
problems.
And you know I have a unique blend of experience,
dedication and effective leadership that will make me
an excellent member, on your behalf, in the House of
Representatives.
Together, let’s move forward.
The 37th Congressional district (lines redrawn by Sac'to Dems in 2001) stretches from Willowbrook to ELB. The Dem approved lines erased the LB district held by Rep. Steve Horn (R., LB-Downey), effectively adding roughly 80% of LB to a formerly Carson-centered district held by Congresswoman Millender-McDonald.
In Nov. 2006, after six years in the state Assembly, Oropeza sought and won the State Senate seat (lines likewise drawn by state Dems) stretching from PV through several southbay cities.
When then-Assemblywoman Oropeza was elected to the State Senate, LB Councilwoman Laura Richardson was elected to the Oropeza's former Assembly seat. From 2000-2006, Richardson represented central LB's 6th Council district. On May 1, Assemblywowan Richardson announced that she's also entering the U.S. Congressional race.
