Schwarzenegger announces special election date for 37th House District

Schwarzenegger announces special election date for 37th House District California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday issued a proclamation last week declaring Aug. 21 as the date for a special election in California’s 37th Congressional District to elect a Congressional representative to fill the vacancy created by the death of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald.
   The district covers a large area of the south central Southern California area including Long Beach, Carson, Compton and parts of South Los Angeles.
   Millender-McDonald, who was heavily involved in area transportation issues, died April 22 at the age of 68.
   The former educator and Carson City Council member made history last year as the first black woman to head the rules setting House Committee on Administration — a position known as the mayor of the House.
   Her performance on transportation issues throughout her tenure resulted in her becoming a respected voice on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where she secured billions of dollars for her region and California. In 2005, she played a key role in the crafting and ultimate House passage of the six-year Transportation Reauthorization Act (TEA-LU), the largest public works legislation in the nation's history.