(May 8, 2009) Downey, CA - Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) spoke to Girl Scouts from troops 2485, 3245 and 2675 at a joint meeting hosted by Troop 2485 at the Downey Memorial Christian Church Reception Hall. During the visit, the congresswoman discussed her role and duties as their representative in Congress and how federal legislation directly impacts their daily lives. The congresswoman urged the students to make their voices heard by exercising their right to vote and participating in other ways in the political process. She also encouraged them to do well in school as a pathway toward a brighter future and explained the many educational resources provided by her office to assist students. The congresswoman makes available an extensive scholarship directory, assistance filling out financial aid forms and internship opportunities in her DC and district offices. More information is available by visiting www.house.gov/roybal-allard and clicking Student Section or by calling (213) 628-9230.  Pictured in the last photo: On behalf of the troops, Girl Scout Mikayla Minnig of Downey (Troop 2485) presents the congresswoman with flowers.  The pair last saw each other on March 18 when 10-year-old Mikayla traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify before the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, on which the congresswoman sits, about what it is like to live with pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JA).  Mikayla’s testimony focused on her story on behalf of the nearly 300,000 other children with JA and the need for more JA research at the National Institutes of Health.