[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26016]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING EDWARD R. ROYBAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to recognize and honor and 
pay tribute to the extraordinary life of Congressman Edward R. Roybal. 
Throughout his career, including 30 years in the United States 
Congress, Congressman Roybal championed the rights of the 
underprivileged and broke down barriers for social justice.
  I would like to express my deepest sympathy to his family and his 
friends, especially to his devoted daughter, my colleague and friend, 
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, and say with the passing of her 
father, we lost a great man, a man who stood up for his convictions, a 
man who stood up for what he believed, and one who stood up for those 
who needed a voice who did not have a voice in our country. He will be 
deeply missed.
  Like many, I feel very blessed to have known Congressman Roybal 
personally. He lived his life and I always noticed how he did this: by 
his actions and by his words. He had principles. He had principles that 
guided each and every one of his actions, and I think all of us should 
really understand that those principles are absolutely necessary for us 
to fight for the rights and the well-being of all human beings, 
especially those who have been shut out of the American Dream.
  His life was not only extraordinary; it was an example to follow for 
generations to come. Each one of us, I believe, has a duty to carry on 
the legacy of this great man. Our young people must get to know 
Congressman Roybal, for he made history taking on tough issues when 
they were not popular. What a role model he was.
  Congressman Roybal not only cared about his own congressional 
district, which he did very deeply, but he also worked very hard to 
help communities throughout our country. As a member of my 
predecessor's, Ronald Dellums, staff, I vividly remember Congressman 
Roybal's unbelievable efforts to help bring a Federal building to 
downtown Oakland. Congressman Roybal and Congressman Dellums had a deep 
friendship and mutual respect for each other. As a result of their 
partnership, we have a beautiful Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building 
where my congressional office is presently located.
  And in the Federal Building, we also have an Edward R. Roybal 
Auditorium. And each time I walk into this beautiful building, I am 
reminded of this great man and his magnificent spirit and his love for 
his country and for our district.
  The 9th Congressional District of California, we owe Congressman 
Roybal a debt of gratitude; and we thank you and his family for really 
sharing this giant of a human being with us.
  I have several personal and professional affiliations with 
Congressman Roybal. His son, Eddie, headed up a successful legal 
services center called Centro Legal De La Raza in Oakland, California. 
This center provides badly needed legal services to families otherwise 
unable to afford them.
  Many years ago after leaving Ron's staff, Congressman Roybal called 
me and he said, Barbara, please, you have to do this for me. I really 
want you to help us raise money for Centro Legal De La Raza.
  Of course I was honored to receive this call from Congressman Roybal, 
and how could I say no. It was such a great honor to be able to work 
with him and his family to make sure that we raised the money for many 
years to provide these badly needed services.
  His commitment to justice was unparalleled. His ability to use his 
clout for those without access to the halls of power, not for himself 
personally, but for all of those shut out, his love for human kind, his 
great spirit will be with me forever. He was such a gentleman, a kind 
human spirit. He was a respectful man, and many of us loved him so 
much.
  So tonight, on behalf of the 9th Congressional District of 
California, we salute a great warrior; we thank him for a job well 
done. We also thank Congressman Roybal for a life well lived. In his 
memory, I think we should all rededicated ourselves to Congressman 
Edward R. Roybal's ideals and his vision for a better world.
  Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, 
Lucille. May God bless you.

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