Roybal-Allard on Fred Ross

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard released the following statement on the induction of Fred Ross Sr. into the California Hall of Fame. “I am so pleased that Fred Ross Sr., one of our greatest community organizers, will be inducted into the California Hall of Fame on October 1st.

“In the late 1940s, Fred Ross was a key ally in helping to bring together the diverse sectors of the Boyle Heights community, which included Mexican Americans, Jews, Japanese Americans and African Americans, among others.

“His teachings were invaluable and resulted in the political movement that elected the first Latino in the 20th century, my father, the late Congressman Edward R. Roybal, to the Los Angeles City Council.

“Following my father’s election, which spearheaded the Latino political movement in Los Angeles, the Community Service Organization (CSO) was founded.  The CSO taught the organizing techniques learned from Fred Ross to community activists, including César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, who went on to organize California farmworkers.

“Fred Ross Sr. is a critical part of the history of Los Angeles and our state of California.  I am thrilled the California Museum is recognizing his many contributions with this high honor by placing him alongside our luminaries of California history.”

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Published: June 19, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 10