On March 16, 2016, a tree planting ceremony commemorating Managing Partner Rick R. Olivarez’s late grandfather, Congressman Edward Roybal, took place on the U.S. Capitol Grounds. Mr. Olivarez and OM Partner, Thomas M. Madruga, were proud to be in attendance at the planting of the red oak. Dignitaries there honoring the late Congressman included his former colleagues Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md. The ceremony was led by Mr. Olivarez’s mother, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.
Edward R. Roybal was the first Hispanic from California to serve in Congress since 1879. He co-founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), and founded the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Congressman Roybal was a powerful advocate for funding for education, civil rights, and health programs.
The tree planting marked the centennial of Congressman Roybal’s birth, which also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the CHC and NALEO.