Recognizing the Life of Congressman Ed Roybal
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN ED ROYBAL -- (House of Representatives - November 15, 2005)
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Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the contributions of an outstanding Californian. We lost a tireless public servant and inspiring colleague when Edward R. Roybal passed away on October 25th. He dedicated his career to a better America for minorities, the poor, and the elderly. This is a sad loss for our delegation, but also a time to reflect upon and remember the aspirations and accomplishments of an outstanding colleague and friend.
Edward Roybal served here for 30 years as the first Hispanic member from California in over 80 years. He was a founding member and the first chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). He was a founding member of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
Before his election to the House, Ed worked in health education and fought for equal rights in housing, education and employment. Ed brought these passions to the House of Representatives in 1963, and made his mark as a visionary for a more inclusive America. In the years to come, Ed labored to pass legislation to outlaw age discrimination. He worked for numerous benefits and opportunities for those with handicaps. As we accept and embrace the rights of these fellow citizens, Ed was a trailblazer leading the way.
In his work on the Appropriations Committee, Ed led efforts to protect funding for programs for the elderly, including public housing programs for senior citizens, community-based alternatives to nursing homes, and the Meals on Wheels program. Ed also continued to fight for laws that treated all Americans fairly. He voted to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and played a key role in helping to pass legislation that reversed a 1989 Supreme Court decision allowing age-based discrimination in employee benefits. Ed retired following the 1992 elections leaving a thirty-year record of success for minorities, the poor and the elderly.
Los Angeles County, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, California State Los Angeles, and the University of California, Los Angeles, recognized Ed with facilities carrying his name. President Clinton awarded Representative Roybal the Presidential Citizens Medal for ``exemplary deeds of service for our Nation. These honors stand in constant reminder of the lives he touched through his public service to California and the nation.
When Ed retired, he left us an outstanding legacy when his daughter, Lucille Roybal-Allard, was elected to represent a part of his old Congressional district. She continues in that tradition of public service today as a valued friend and colleague. My wife Annette and I extend to her and all her family and friends our most sincere sympathy.
I ask all of my colleagues to join me in remembering a true public servant, Edward Roybal, who served California and our nation with honor, helping to make a better place for all Americans.
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Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, at the recent memorial service for our former colleague the Honorable Edward Roybal of California, whom we remember tonight, my distinguished friend the Honorable David Dreier delivered a moving eulogy. The remarks that I will submit for the Congressional Record include Mr. Dreier's recollections of the powerful influence that our friend Mr. Roybal had on this House. It is in that same bipartisan spirit that I compliment my colleague, Mr. Dreier, for his comments. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the remarks of Mr. Dreier be included in the Congressional Record.
Statement of the Honorable David Dreier Honoring Former Congressman Ed Roybal, November 15, 2005
Mr. Speaker, recently, our nation lost two icons in the battle for equal rights. Twenty-five years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama, a young Ed Roybal was in the vanguard of the struggle for equality here in Los Angeles.
Speeches are given in Congress every day. Mr. Roybal's account of his fight for justice was one of the most memorable speeches I've ever heard.
He told a packed House chamber that the Evergreen swimming pool in Boyle Heights was a favorite neighborhood hangout where fun was had by all. There was just one problem. They would only allow Mexican Americans to swim the day before the pool was to be cleaned. Still a teenager, Ed Roybal led the effort to overturn that abhorrent policy.
Without bitterness or anger but with resolve he spent the rest of his life confronting the Evergreen pools that pervade our culture and laws.
The Times called him, ``a mentor to scores of lawmakers.'' I hope this doesn't upset anyone but he had at least one Republican protege who has been inspired by his example. Mr. Roybal was a giant in public service. A gracious man, who through his conscience and his actions was one of the great leaders of this city and our nation.
I have served in Congress for twenty-five years. It has been an honor to be a colleague of Mr. Roybal's for half that time and a colleague of Lucille's for the other half. There is no greater tribute to his legacy than the dedication of his daughter to the very same ideals and beliefs that guided him.
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