Speech of Honorable Sam Farr - In Honor of Mike Roos

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the long and distinguished public service career of our friend, Mr. Mike Roos. I had the great honor of working with Mike as colleagues in the California State Assembly along with several other current and former members of this House. I count myself fortunate to call him a good friend. After many years of public service, Mike is retiring from Mike Roos and Company, the public affairs firm that he founded in 1999, and turning to the next chapter of his life.

The firm that Mike shaped specializes in government relations, corporate issues management, media relations, and ballot measure campaigns. Prior to establishing Mike Roos and Company, Mike served as President and CEO of the Los Angeles Alliance for Restructuring Now, a coalition of business and civic leaders from the Los Angeles Area dedicated to implementing systemic reform and restructuring within the Los Angeles Unified School District. His significant efforts in this capacity have undoubtedly changed countless lives of children in the Los Angeles area for the better.

Mike's distinguished Assembly career began in 1977. He earned the love and respect of both his Democratic and Republican colleagues. His own caucus chose him Majority Floor Leader in his second term, a position he held until his 1987 election as Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. He had the reputation as a genuine legislator--someone who used the power of lawmaking to make the lives of the People of California better. Perhaps his most well known achievement is the Mello Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 and the Roberti-Roos Weapons Control Act of 1989. Mike authored the finest and strictest laws to date protecting the confidentiality of HIV patients, as well as the law creating the Alternative Test Sites Program, which established centers where individuals could receive free, anonymous testing for the AIDS antibody. He consistently fought for a better education for all, authoring legislation prohibiting sex discrimination in California's educational institutions.

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Mike served as the Executive Director of the Coro Foundation, a leadership training program for future leaders in public service. Thanks to his substantial experience and insight, he continues to be a valuable consultant to civic and educational organizations, speaking on topics ranging from education reform to the legislative process in California politics.

Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in thanking Mike for his years of service on behalf of the people of California. I know he looks forward to spending more time with his family in this next chapter of his life, including his four daughters Shelby, Melissa, Catherine, and Caroline. I wish him nothing but success and happiness.

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