[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ROBERT C. LOBDELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Robert C. Lobdell of Menlo Park, California, who passed away on 
Monday, July 7, 2008 at the age of 82. He leaves his beloved wife Nancy 
to whom he was married for almost 56 years; his four children, Jim, 
John, Terri and William; and 11 grandchildren.
  Born in Mankato, Minnesota in 1926, Robert Lobdell moved to Manhattan 
Beach with his family in 1942. During World War II he served in the 
Army Air Forces and later attended Stanford University where he earned 
a law degree in 1950. He married Nancy Lower in 1952 and they lived in 
Long Beach, California for more than 30 years before moving to Menlo 
Park in 2004.
  After receiving his law degree, Mr. Lobdell went on to work for the 
Los Angeles Times and the Times Mirror, the newspaper's former parent 
company, from 1965 to 1986. During his time there, Mr. Lobdell served 
as vice president and general counsel, successfully argued numerous 
major media cases, and developed a reputation as one of the Nation's 
leading First Amendment attorneys. Among his many important media 
cases, Mr. Lobdell successfully argued that a newspaper had the right 
to control the content of advertisements it publishes and won a 
landmark media case in 1982 brought by the Federal Trade Commission, 
which tried to stop the practice of media companies giving discounts to 
frequent advertisers. He also worked to free Times reporter Bill Farr 
in 1973 after he was jailed for refusing to reveal his source to a 
judge in the Charles Manson murder case.
  Mr. Lobdell received numerous accolades from his peers and earned 
their respect, admiration and affection. He was known as a hard-
working, kind colleague, and a fine lawyer who advocated hard-hitting 
journalism and fiercely tackled legal challenges to protect and support 
the editors and journalists at the Times.
  Mr. Lobdell was a devoted husband and father and when he wasn't 
working, he spent time with his wife and children. An active member of 
the community, he served on the boards of numerous organizations. He 
had a love of the arts and at age 60, he became part of the student 
body at Cal State Long Beach, taking classes including Italian, 
literature and history, as well as a study abroad program. His family 
remembers his great enthusiasm for life which lasted until the end.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me 
in honoring the life of Robert C. Lobdell and in extending my deepest 
sympathies to his entire family during this difficult time. As an 
exceptional lawyer and free speech advocate, a loving husband, father 
and grandfather, he has left lasting legacies which have made our 
country stronger and better.

                          ____________________