Readers React: Why no mention of Roybal as a presidential honoree?

To the editor: Much to my dismay, the article omitted mention of Edward Roybal as one of the 18 people awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama on Monday. (“Medal of Freedom awarded to Meryl Streep, Stevie Wonder, others,” Nov. 24)

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downey) accepted the posthumous award on behalf of her father, who represented East L.A. on the L.A. City Council for 13 years. In 1962, Roybal became the first Mexican American from California to be elected to Congress, where he served for 30 years. We can thank Councilman Roybal for his challenge to the unfair districting in California, which led to a California Supreme Court decision that forced changes to reflect the growing Latino population.

Obama called Roybal a hero not just for Latinos but for all Americans.

Jo’Ann De Quattro, Los Angeles

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion