[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E82]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE IN RECOGNITION OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF LOS 
     ANGELES COUNTY (MABA) ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 26, 2010

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (MABA) on the 
occasion of its 50th Anniversary. Headquartered in the South Park 
community of Downtown Los Angeles in the 34th Congressional District, I 
am proud to represent this non-profit organization dedicated to 
advancing the careers of Latinos in the legal profession and empowering 
Latino communities.
  Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with MABA members 
in various ways to assist Latino families in my congressional district. 
MABA members have had profound impacts on our community, including in 
advocating for immigrant rights, providing legal counsel at my annual 
citizenship workshops, and generously providing pro bono consultation 
to the residents of the City of Commerce whose homes were damaged by 
the derailment of a Union Pacific train.
  In 2005, I was particularly touched to become the organization's 
first-ever recipient of the Edward R. Roybal Public Service Award. 
Named in honor of my late father, the annual award recognizes 
individuals for their extraordinary public service to the Latino 
community. On behalf of my father and the Roybal family, I remain 
deeply grateful to MABA for honoring my father's legacy of public 
service in this very special way.
  I am sure my father would be very proud that this year's Edward R. 
Roybal Public Service Award will go to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for 
his outstanding contributions to our city. MABA's other outstanding 
honorees at this year's February 6 anniversary gala at the Biltmore 
Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles are: Thomas Saenz; Herman Sillas; Eddie 
``Piolin'' Sotelo; Mario Trujillo; Carlos Moyado; and The Law Firm of 
Moreno, Becerra and Casillas. They are all to be commended for their 
steadfast advocacy on behalf of Latino families.
  In celebrating MABA's 50th Anniversary, it is appropriate to take a 
look back to this fine organization's humble beginnings. The 
organization's roots actually trace back to 1956 when Manuel Martinez 
was sworn in as an attorney in Los Angeles. Although there were few 
Mexican American attorneys at the time, Manuel Martinez quickly 
realized that attorneys of Mexican descent needed a support group to 
help guide their careers and ultimately succeed in the legal 
profession. Three years later, in 1959, he joined with another local 
attorney named Antonio Bueno to form the Mexican Lawyers' Club, which 
met regularly at El Farolito Restaurant in East Los Angeles.
  In 1971, the Mexican Lawyers' Club evolved into the Mexican American 
Bar Association. Today, MABA of Los Angeles County boasts more than 800 
members from various ethnic, racial and political backgrounds. Through 
the years, MABA of Los Angeles County is credited with helping numerous 
generations of attorneys develop their careers while staying true to 
its core mission of empowering and giving back to the Latino community. 
Considered the voice and heart of the Latino legal community, MABA 
members have ascended to the highest levels of the legal community: in 
private practice, non-profit, and governmental positions, including 
three appointments to the California State Supreme Court.
  Madam Speaker, on the occasion of MABA of Los Angeles County's 50th 
Anniversary, I ask my colleagues to please join me in celebrating the 
growth and outstanding achievements of this distinguished and 
influential organization and in congratulating all of its members for 
making this visionary bar association the success that it is today.

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