Tom Lantos: “at the recent memorial service for our former colleague the Honorable Edward Roybal of California, whom we remember…”

“at the recent memorial service for our former colleague the Honorable Edward Roybal of California, whom we remember tonight, my distinguished friend the Honorable David Dreier delivered a moving eulogy. The remarks that I will submit for the Congressional Record include Mr. Dreier's recollections of the powerful influence that our friend Mr. Roybal had on this House. It is in that same bipartisan spirit that I compliment my colleague, Mr. Dreier, for his comments. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the remarks of Mr. Dreier be included in the Congressional Record. Statement of the Honorable David Dreier Honoring Former Congressman Ed Roybal, November 15, 2005 Mr. Speaker, recently, our nation lost two icons in the battle for equal rights. Twenty-five years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama, a young Ed Roybal was in the vanguard of the struggle for equality here in Los Angeles. Speeches are given in Congress every day. Mr. Roybal's account of his fight for justice was one of the most memorable speeches I've ever heard. He told a packed House chamber that the Evergreen swimming pool in Boyle Heights was a favorite neighborhood hangout where fun was had by all. There was just one problem. They would only allow Mexican Americans to swim the day before the pool was to be cleaned. Still a teenager, Ed Roybal led the effort to overturn that abhorrent policy.…”