US House Rep Karen Bass's office released the following:
February 21, 2020
Press Release
LOS ANGELES - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) issued the following statement marking the passing of her friend Rita Walters.
"Rita Walters was a close friend of my family and a mentor who encouraged my involvement in public service every step of the way starting with nominating me to serve as a student representative to a Board of Education Task Force when I was in middle school.
"From her service as the only Black member of a school board whose majority opposed forced integration to her service as the first Black woman elected to the L.A. City Council, her lifelong commitment to fighting for a better Los Angeles blazed the trail for so many of us who grew up in LAUSD schools.
"Rita you will be missed. Your spirit fights on in all of us."
