[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 125 (Tuesday, August 4, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1207-E1208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE SERVICE OF MICHAEL ``MIKE'' ROOS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 4, 2015

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues Mr. 
Becerra, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Farr, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Royce, Ms. 
Speier, Mr. Thompson and Ms. Waters to recognize our good friend, The 
Honorable Michael ``Mike'' Roos, for his outstanding career, and to 
congratulate him on the special milestone that is his 70th birthday.
  Mike was born on August 6, 1945, in Memphis, Tennessee. He went on to 
attend Christian Brothers High School and Tulane University in New 
Orleans before ultimately accepting a National Institute of Child 
Health Fellowship at the University of Southern California, where he 
graduated with a master's degree in public administration.
  During the late 1970's Mike began his legislative career, serving in 
the California State Assembly for over 14 years. In his second 
legislative term, he was chosen as Majority Floor leader by his caucus, 
and he served in this position for six years until he was elected 
Speaker Pro Tempore of the California State Assembly.
  Some of Mike's landmark legislative achievements include the passage 
of the Roberti-Roos Weapons Control Act of 1989, which banned assault 
weapons, as well as the Mello Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982, 
which afforded local government an innovative, alternate method of 
financing public facilities. In 1985 Mike authored the first and 
strictest laws to date that protect the confidentiality of HIV test 
results, and he also authored the law that established the pioneer 
Alternative Test Sites Program, where individuals could receive free 
anonymous testing for the AIDS antibody.
  Following his career in the State Assembly, Mike became the founder 
and Chief-consultant of Mike Roos and Company, a public affairs and 
management company that specializes in government relations, corporate 
issues, media relations, and ballot measure campaigns.
  Apart from his successful career as a legislator and political 
strategist, Mike's longstanding philanthropic service is also notable. 
As President and CEO of LEARN--a coalition of civic leaders and 
representatives--Mike worked to help implement systematic reform and 
restructuring of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Mike has 
served as Chairman of the Fraternity of Friends of the Music Center, 
the President of the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Commission, and 
the Campaign Director for California Children and Families Initiative--
an initiative that would go on to become the successful ballot measure 
known as Prop 10.
  Because of his experience and contributions, Mike is often asked to 
speak about education reform and his knowledge of California

[[Page E1208]]

politics. Today Mike resides in Los Angeles, and enjoys spending time 
with his four daughters Shelby, Melissa, Caroline, and Catherine.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that Mr. Becerra, Mrs. Davis, 
Mr. Farr, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Royce, Ms. Speier, Mr. Thompson and 
Ms. Waters and I ask our colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join us in honoring the service of Michael ``Mike'' Roos, a remarkable 
Californian legislative leader and public servant.

                          ____________________