Late Congressman Roybal To Receive Presidential Medal Of Freedom
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard says she will accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom on behalf of her father, the late Rep. Edward Roybal, at a White House ceremony later this month.
Her reaction comes after President Barack Obama announced the 19 Americans tapped to receive the award on Nov. 24.
The medal is the highest honor granted to American civilians and honors their contributions to U.S. security, world peace and cultural achievement.
Roybal represented portions of Los Angeles during his 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Rep. Roybal-Allard says her father "blazed a trail for generations of Latino politicians and activists."
She's the first Mexican-American woman elected to Congress and represents several suburban communities of Los Angeles.
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