Roybal-Allard, Lucille, 1941-

<p>In 1992, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard became the first Mexican-American woman elected to Congress. She has distinguished herself throughout her congressional career as a dedicated advocate for the dignity and well-being of all Americans. The congresswoman is the first Latina to serve as one of the 12 “cardinals,” or chairs, of a House Appropriations Subcommittee, as well as the first Latina to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. She is also the first woman to chair the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; the first woman to chair the California Democratic congressional delegation; and the founder of the Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform.</p>

<p>Congresswoman Roybal-Allard is an original co-author of The Dream Act, which would allow certain U.S.-raised immigrant youth to earn lawful permanent residence and eventual American citizenship. In 2019, she introduced the newest version of this bill: HR 6, The Dream and Promise Act. Her Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act, which tests newborns for treatable genetic disorders, has helped to save the lives of thousands of babies. Her Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP) Act has been instrumental in reducing underage drinking and its consequences. From her position on the House Appropriations Committee, she has spearheaded many federal projects that have created jobs and improved the lives of her constituents, including the new federal courthouse in Downtown Los Angeles, the Metro Gold Line Lightrail Eastside Extension, the deepening of the Port of Los Angeles, and the ongoing revitalization of the Los Angeles River.</p>

<p>As chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, the congresswoman continues to fight to ensure our homeland security personnel have the resources and guidance they need to keep our country safe against all threats, manmade and natural, and to treat immigrants humanely and with dignity and respect. She advocates for fair and just bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform which focuses on deporting those who threaten national security, and better secures our borders. She is also fighting for investments in the Coast Guard’s air and marine fleets, including much-needed funding for its first heavy icebreaker in 40 years.</p>

ROYBAL-ALLARD, Lucille, a Representative from California; born in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles County, Calif., June 12, 1941; graduated from Ramona Convent Secondary School, Alhambra, Calif., 1959; B.A., California State University, Los Angeles, Calif., 1965; community relations and nonprofit executive; member of the California state assembly, 1987-1992; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Third and to the fourteen succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1993-present).

<p>Lucille Elsa Roybal-Allard (born June 12, 1941) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 40th congressional district, serving in Congress since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district, numbered as the 33rd from 1993 to 2003 and as the 34th from 2003 to 2013, includes much of southern Los Angeles, as well as a number of eastern suburbs such as Downey, Bell and Bell Gardens.</p>

<p>She was born in Boyle Heights, California, the daughter of Edward R. Roybal, who served in Congress from 1963 to 1993, and Lucille Beserra Roybal. She was attended Ramona Convent Secondary School in Alhambra, California, graduating in 1959. She also attended California State University, Los Angeles.</p>

<p>She was a public relations officer and fund raising executive. She was also a member of the California State Assembly from 1987 to 1992, first elected on May 12, 1987 in a special election to replace Gloria Molina who resigned after being elected to the Los Angeles City Council.</p>