Dear Colleague: I am writing to ask for your support in ending a dangerous double standard that persists in America’s child labor laws. Currently, children working in agriculture are permitted to work at younger ages and for longer hours than those working in all other industries. While 12 year old children are allowed to work on farms, children under 14 are prohibited from working in every other industry. Children who work on farms deserve the same rights and protections as all other children a... Read more

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) submitted the following statement today into the congressional record following the final passage in Congress of legislation to extend unemployment benefits to millions of Americans. The legislation passed the House (7/22/10) by a vote of 272 to 152. The legislation passed the Senate Wednesday evening (7/21/10), and it will be sent today to President Obama for his signature into law. “Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Unemployment Co... Read more

The American College of Nurse‐Midwives (ACNM), the oldest women’s health organization in the country, applauds Rep. Lucille Roybal‐Allard (D‐CA) for introducing the “Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services for the 21st Century Act of 2010 (MOMS 21)” (H.R.5807). The purpose of this legislation is to improve maternal health outcomes in the United States by harnessing the best evidence in maternity care delivery. “As we implement health care reform over the coming years, it is imperative that clinici... Read more

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard discusses the impact of health care reform on the Latino community at a congressional briefing sponsored by the National Hispanic Medical Association. The non-profit association represents more than 36,000 licensed Hispanic physicians in the United States. The organization’s mission is to improve the health of Hispanics and other underserved populations. Congresswoman Roybal-Allard’s remarks are as follows: “It is a pleasure to welcome you to this briefing on ... Read more

The United States spends significantly more on childbirth than any other industrialized country, but ranks far behind almost all developed countries in healthy child birth results for both mothers and babies. To address this national tragedy, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard introduced today the Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services for the 21st Century Act which places a national focus on evidence-based maternity care practices to help achieve the best possible maternity outcomes for mothers... Read more

Amnesty International Executive Director Larry Cox issued the following statement in support of the "MOMS for the 21st Century Act," introduced Wednesday in the House of Representatives by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, (D-CA): "Amnesty International commends Rep. Roybal-Allard for her commitment to improving the outcomes and disparities in maternal health in the United States. Access to good quality maternal health care is a right, not a privilege. It is shameful that as a nation we have neglected... Read more

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) congratulates Huntington Park resident Gricelda Ceja (shown left) during her visit to our nation’s capital as part of the Public Leadership Education Network’s Women and Public Policy Internship program. The national organization prepares college women for careers in public policy and public leadership. Also pictured, Kristina Hamilton, the network’s program manager. Gricelda attended Bell High School and is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College in Lo... Read more

Norma Martinez Rogers, President of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (shown on right), presents Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) with the association’s Dedication Award in honor of her “outstanding leadership to Hispanic health care and advocacy of Hispanic nurses.” At a reception on Capitol Hill, the congresswoman, who is chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Health Care Task Force, made the following acceptance remarks: “Thank you, Norma, for your kind introduction a... Read more

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) (pictured center) commended college students Claire Lopez of Lakewood, CA and Choong-Ho Chung of Seoul, Korea on their participation in the 2010 U.S. Congress-Korean National Assembly Youth Exchange Program. The pair spent the day on Capitol Hill meeting with congressional staff, touring the U.S. Capitol Building and attending legislative hearings. Created in 1981 by U.S. Representative Ben Gilman and his counterpart David Pong in the Korean National A... Read more

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) commends Bell Gardens High School history teacher Elizabeth Kocharian of Whittier on her participation in the U.S. House of Representatives House Historian’s Office 2010 Fellows Program. Kocharian is among 46 fellows nationwide selected during a highly competitive process to participate in a one-week intensive program on the history and practices of the U.S. House of Representatives. During interdisciplinary workshops, the high school history teachers ... Read more