(September 8, 2006) Downtown, Los Angeles - Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) spoke to Latino leaders from throughout the country about health and environmental issues impacting Latino families at the National Latino Congreso (Congress) held at the Los Angeles Sheraton Hotel. During her remarks, the congresswoman - who serves on the Appropriations Health Subcommittee in Congress - called for broader support of federal initiatives to address health disparities in the Latino community. The congresswoman emphasized the need for increased access to health care, prescription drug coverage and increased federal funding for research into diseases prevalent among Latinos such as lung cancer, diabetes and obesity. The congresswoman also highlighted environmental hazards affecting the health and well-being of Latinos, including high pollution levels in metropolitan areas that can lead to higher rates of asthma and cancer. Pictured on the panel from left to right: Dan Cook, President, Environmental Working Group; Lucille Roybal-Allard; Michael Gonzalez, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Martha Arguello, Director, Health and Environment at Physicians for Social Responsibility; and Dr. Jorge H. Mestman, M.D., Director at the Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University of Southern California.