Oregon lawmakers mourn death of state senator’s wife

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Members of the Oregon Legislature’s Black, Indigenous and People of Color Caucus (BIPOC) announced Friday morning, June 11, the death of Lawanda Joyce Manning, a legislative staff member and wife of Senate President Pro-Tem James Manning, Jr., D-Eugene.

“Affectionately known as ‘Miss Lawanda,’ she was a force in the Capitol, combining an unmatched grace with power and beauty,” the press release said. “She was not a woman who worked behind the scenes. She led out front as a leader in the community, chairing the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs, helping to usher in a historic wave of progress in the arena of civil rights and social justice.”

Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Happy Valley, and Sen. Lew Frederick, D-North Portland, both commented on their grief and empathy for Sen. Manning as he mourns the passing of his wife and partner.

Frederick noted that Lawanda Manning was the type of person who created an expectation that lawmakers would always give their best effort by having confidence in them that the right thing was being done.

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