[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 108 (Monday, July 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF MIKE ROOS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 13, 2015

  Mr. FARR. 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.
   In 1999, Mike founded Mike Roos and Company, a public affairs 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 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 time with his family, including his four 
daughters Shelby, Melissa, Catherine, and Caroline. I wish him nothing 
but success and happiness.

                          ____________________