CHCI Building Dedication Honors Congressman
Edward R. Roybal
“Edward R. Roybal Building for Latino Leadership”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation’s premier
Hispanic youth leadership development and educational organization,
today announced it will name its building the “Edward R. Roybal
Building for Latino Leadership,” in memory of Congressman Roybal’s
30 years of service championing the rights of immigrants, education,
health, and seniors across the nation.
“Our building dedication is a fitting tribute to a humble and
dedicated public servant who had the tenacity to ensure this
institute would grow and prosper,” said CHCI Chairwoman Grace Flores
Napolitano (CA-38).
“Congressman Roybal, an instrumental founding father of the
Hispanic Caucus and Institute, was a man of deep convictions, a
statesman who served his constituents, all Hispanics, and his
country with distinction. We are now honoring his legacy and family
with deep respect.”
CHCI President and CEO Esther Aguilera added “CHCI’s building
dedication celebrates Roybal’s lifetime commitment to our nation’s
Hispanic youth. An education advocate, Roybal did what was right
for those in need.”
The building dedication coincides with three anniversary
milestones: 25th Public Policy Fellowship, 20th
Congressional Internship and 5th Scholarship Awards
Program. CHCI will celebrate these events during its Hispanic
Heritage Month Public Policy Conference and 29th Annual
Gala, Oct. 2 – 4 in Washington, D.C.
About Congressman Edward R. Roybal
First elected to Congress in 1962, Congressman Edward R. Roybal
served 14 consecutive terms until his retirement in 1993. A
founding member, Congressman Roybal served as CHCI’s first Board
Chair from 1978 to 1980.
A representative from California, Congressman Roybal was born in
Albuquerque New Mexico, February 10, 1916. He graduated from
Roosevelt High School in Fresno, California in 1934. He later
joined the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Roybal attended the University of California at Los Angeles and
Southwestern University and served as a public health educator – a
passion he would maintain throughout his career.
Always ahead of the curve, in 1949 Roybal became the first person
of Mexican origin, since 1881, to be elected to the Los Angeles City
Council. In 1962, Roybal once again made history by becoming the
firs Latino from California to be elected to Congress since Romualdo
Pacheco in 1879.
During his 30 years of service, Congressman Roybal championed the
rights of Hispanics, new immigrants, seniors, mental health,
education, and AIDS research.
In 1968, Roybal passed legislation to create a Cabinet-level
office for Hispanic concerns. That same year, he sponsored
legislation to establish National Hispanic Heritage Week, now a
month-long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15).
Congressman Roybal was a leading proponent of the language
assistance provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1975. During the
1980’s he served as Chairman of the Select Committee on Aging and
led campaigns to restore funding for several senior-citizen
programs.
About Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Institute
Congressional
Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan
501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and
educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The
CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of
Congress, nonprofit leaders and corporate executives. For more
information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit
www.chci.org.
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