1916 – 2005
Congressman Edward R. Roybal began his public career in 1940 as a health educator for the California Tuberculosis Association where he became the Director of Health Education for the Los Angeles County Tuberculosis and Health Association. His public career is marked with a long and impressive list of “first time” accomplishments.

1949, the first Latino elected to the Los Angeles City Council.
He served as President Pro-Tempore and was Chairman of the Health Committee. As a city council member he was a champion for civil rights and equal justice. He served as a Los Angeles City Council Member.

1962, the first Latino from California elected to the U.S. House of Representatives since 1879.
He served on the prestigious and powerful Appropriations Committee and as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government. His post on the Appropriations Committee enabled him to advocate federal funding for health, education, community health programs and bilingual education.He was also a ranking member on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee. His support for funding for education programs was unrelenting.

Highlights of Congressman Roybal’s long list of accomplishments:

• Author of the 1968 legislation that established the National Bilingual Education Act to assist the Nation’s schools in meeting the educational needs of children who come from non-English speaking homes.
• Played an important role in the passing of legislation to outlaw age discrimination, and he worked for numerous benefits and opportunities for those with disabilities.
• Responsible for funding America’s first AIDS research and treatment programs
• Championed the first funding for Alzheimer’s Disease and was instrumental in renewing legislation to provide medical service to people with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Led the campaign for the restoration of funds to programs for the elderly, including a senior citizens’ public housing program and a community-based alternative to nursing homes.
• In 1982 he was successful in maintaining the Meals on Wheels program and protecting veterans’ preference jobs.
• Consumer rights defender.
• Co-founder of the House Select Committee on Aging where he served as its first Chairman from 1983 – 1993.
• One of the first legislators to introduce legislation to establish a national health plan for the United States.
• Founder of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus where he served as both its President and Treasurer.
• Founder of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).

There are numerous buildings bearing the name of Edward R. Roybal to honor and continue his legacy. Congressman Roybal elected to retire in 1993 after thirty years in office. He created the Roybal Foundation dedicated to providing scholarships to deserving students to attend college. Congressman Roybal is survived by his beloved wife, Lucille Beserra-Roybal; children, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Lillian Roybal-Rose and Ed Roybal, Jr.