(February 26, 2008) Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) (shown second on right) visits with nine-year-old Mikayla and her parents, Michael and Janet Minnig of Downey, who visited our nation’s capital to thank the congresswoman for supporting the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Care Act.  Among other things, the measure would strengthen arthritis public health initiatives that would allow more people to be diagnosed early and avoid pain and permanent disability. A 4th grade student at Trinity Christian School in Norwalk, CA, Mikayla has had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis for six years.  Mikayla and her parents have taken part in the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter’s Arthritis Family Weekend Camp at the Painted Turtle – the sixth addition to Paul Newman’s family of Hole in the Wall Camps for seriously ill children. The family also serves as ambassadors – advocating in DC and mentoring families with a child newly diagnosed with arthritis or a related disease. Rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability. The foundation works to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Following the meeting, Mikayla and her parents were led on a tour of the U.S. Capitol Building by a member of the congresswoman’s staff. The congresswoman’s office also arranged tours for the family of the White House and the Library of Congress. For assistance scheduling tours of the U.S. Capitol and other key historical sites, constituents traveling to our nation’s capital are invited to contact the congresswoman’s office at (202) 225-1766.