[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 151 (Tuesday, November 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H10191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRESSMAN EDWARD ROYBAL

  (Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, this evening I honor 
and celebrate the life of former Representative Edward Ross Roybal.
  Edward Roybal is a role model and a hero to us all. Congressman 
Roybal was a founding member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the 
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, and the 
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
  Much is owed to him for his foresight and leadership in establishing 
these organizations. Today, these organizations are among the leading 
voices for the Latino community.
  I quickly want to share a story that I think epitomizes Ed Roybal's 
life in the House. In 1982, he opposed a comprehensive immigration 
reform bill that had many bad provisions and many punitive provisions 
in it. He threatened to offer more than 100 amendments to the bill and 
demand a recorded vote on each amendment if the bill was brought to the 
floor.
  Fortunately for him and the Latino community, the House leaders 
backed down from this battle. This also is a clear example of how much 
respect folks had for this man because he stood up for what was right. 
The powers that be recognized him for his leadership.
  In June of 1984, this bill was brought up again; and this time he 
offered seven amendments to amend the bill. His actions showed his 
relentless commitment and passion for immigration and its human impact 
on the Latino community.
  Today, we face a similar challenge defending those seeking a better 
life. It is my hope that Members will remember his courage and 
integrity when we debate this matter.
  Mother Teresa once said, ``I slept and I dreamed that life is all 
joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that 
service is joy.'' Ed Roybal serves as a shining example of the profound 
impact that one person can have on his or her community and country. He 
is a model for selflessness and eternal optimism, and I wish to honor 
him this evening.
  ``Blessed is the leader who seeks the best for those he serves.'' For 
over a quarter of a century, the people of California had such a leader 
in Edward Roybal. As we all know, the name Ed Roybal has become 
synonymous with leadership and integrity in the local and national 
political arena. Indeed, Ed Roybal was blessed for selflessly giving 
his energy and love and for dedicating his life to those most in need. 
Let us honor and celebrate his life's work in public service.
  Through his life, Edward Ross Roybal was a tireless champion of the 
most vulnerable--the elderly and sick in the country. That is why in 
2001 President Clinton awarded Congressman Roybal the Presidential 
Citizens Medal for ``exemplary deeds of service for our Nation.''
  Edward Roybal graduated from the University of California Los Angeles 
and Southwestern University, where he studied law. After working for 
the California Tuberculosis Association, he served in the U.S. Army 
during World War II from April 1944 to December 1945.
  Edward Roybal was first elected to the House in 1962. Early in his 
congressional career, he served on various committees where he 
distinguished himself for his leadership. In 1971, Congressman Roybal 
was selected to serve on the Appropriations Committee, where he 
remained for the rest of his tenure in the House. He was a powerful 
advocate for funding education, civil rights, and health programs. Most 
notably, he was one of the first Members of Congress to press for HIV/
AIDS research funding.
  Representative Roybal also served on the Select Committee on Aging, 
serving as chair from 1985 to 1993. In 1980, he led a campaign for the 
restoration of funds to programs for the elderly. In 1982, he was 
successful in maintaining the Meals on Wheels program.
  After Congress, former Representative Roybal used his leftover 
campaign funds to found a non-profit research agency dedicated to 
improving the quality and effectiveness of health and human services to 
older persons, now called the Edward R. Roybal Institute for Applied 
Gerontology at the California State University--Los Angeles campus. 
Clearly, Roybal was committed to public health issues that affected the 
most vulnerable. To this end, in 1999 the Centers for Disease Control 
(CDC) honored Congressman Roybal's support for public health programs 
by naming its main campus in Atlanta in his honor and awarding him its 
Champion of Prevention Award.
  Congressman Roybal was also a founding member of the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, 
and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Much is owed to him 
for his foresight and leadership in establishing these organizations. 
Today, these organizations are among the leading voices for the Latino 
community.
  Mother Teresa once said, ``I slept and I dreamed that life is all 
joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that 
service is joy.'' Ed Roybal serves as a shining example of the profound 
impact one person can have on his or her community and nation. He is a 
model for selflessness and eternal optimism. Ed Roybal is a role model 
and a hero to us all.

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