A political pioneer, in 1992 Congresswoman Roybal-Allard became the first Mexican-American woman elected to Congress. Before that, she represented the 56th Assembly District of California for six years.

Throughout her tenure in public service, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard has remained committed to expanding opportunities for residents of her district and working families throughout the country. She champions efforts to increase access to health care, create affordable housing, modernize and upgrade public schools, improve school safety, increase the federal minimum wage, reduce the high Hispanic drop-out rates, preserve Social Security and Medicare, and stimulate economic growth to create new jobs.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful and distinguished committees in Congress, she spends much of her time attending hearings and meetings. She is the first Latina in U.S. history to be appointed to the Appropriations Committee, which controls the purse strings of the federal government. The congresswoman serves on three influential subcommittees -- the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies and the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. As a member of these subcommittees, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard oversees funding of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Known as a respected consensus builder, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard also served as chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation in 1997 and 1998. In assuming this position, she became the first woman, first Latina and the first Member to achieve this role through election rather than seniority. Later, during the 106th Congress in 1999 and 2000, she went on to become the first female Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which is a coalition of Hispanic Members of Congress.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard's responsibilities take her back and forth between California and Washington, D.C. Her time in Washington, D.C. centers around her committee responsibilities and votes on key bills pending before Congress. She also receives visits from Los Angeles residents, business owners, educators, veterans, workers, and students. They travel to see their nation's capital and talk with their congresswoman about issues important to them.

When at home in Los Angeles, the congresswoman spends much of her time meeting with residents and community leaders to discuss ways to improve the quality of life in the 34th Congressional District.

For example, the congresswoman urges her constituents to take advantage of her Grants Notification Program that she established to help local groups obtain federal grant money. It gives potential applicants advance notification of upcoming federal grant opportunities. This program has helped to bring millions of federal dollars to the district.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard also encourages college-bound students in her district to check out her Student Information Program, which provides students and local schools with college scholarship, financial aid, internship, and fellowship information.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard enjoys every aspect of her job, but she especially enjoys hearing from residents of the district and serving them. If you have an idea for the Congresswoman, or if you need assistance, please feel free to contact Congresswoman Roybal-Allard.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard's Personal Story

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard was born and raised in Boyle Heights, California. She is the eldest daughter of Lucille Beserra Roybal and the late Congressman Edward R. Roybal, a Member of Congress for 30 years.

The 1965 graduate of the California State University at Los Angeles is married to Edward T. Allard, III. Together, they have four children- Ricardo, Lisa, Angela, and Guy Mark; and seven grandchildren.