Planned Parenthood Honors Congressional Supporters
On Wednesday, March 5, 2008, Planned Parenthood held a reception to honor and thank pro-family planning members of Congress for their hard work and support of women’s health during 2007.
"We offer our most sincere thanks to the pro-family planning champions whose leadership helped to advance Planned Parenthood's commonsense, prevention agenda in 2007. We honor your commitment to speaking up for women's health and women's rights."
— Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood especially honored the 11 members of Congress who took a public and vocal stand in opposition to direct attacks against Planned Parenthood.
"This year, for the first time ever, Planned Parenthood faced unprecedented attacks; we were called out by name in repeated efforts by Rep. Mike Pence and Sen. David Vitter and other anti family planning extremists to defund our work. Standing between this attack and the millions of women, men and teens we serve every year were 11 members — Republicans and Democrats — who stood up and spoke out to defend Planned Parenthood when we were under this attack."
— Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood
These 11 courageous members who publicly spoke out and defeated these attacks are Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA-23), Rep.Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ-12), Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-14), Rep. James Moran (D-VA-08), Rep. David Obey (D-WI-07), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-17), and Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT-04). Read excerpts from their statements to Congress supporting Planned Parenthood.
At the reception, several members spoke about the important work Planned Parenthood does every day and about their commitment to women's health.
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Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA-23)
"I've worked with Planned Parenthood since I was a school nurse in California. I am grateful to you all for your work in the community every single day, providing health care for a lot of people who don't get it any other way. I'm delighted to work on your behalf and always will be there with you." |
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Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-11)
"In Tampa, Planned Parenthood had a teen theater program to teach kids how to say no and not get in trouble. I stood up for Planned Parenthood when opponents tried to cut it out of the budget, and that spurred more support for Planned Parenthood. Together, we have the potential to repair the damage done over the last seven years." |
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Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY-7) and
Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA-37)
Rep. Crowley said, "Providing women with safe, affordable and comprehensive health care should always be a bipartisan mission. Unfortunately, the Bush policies of the last 7 years have moved us backwards, not forwards. Planned Parenthood is leading the cause forward and I am a proud supporter of their efforts." |
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Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-17)
"It's an honor to work with Planned Parenthood to ensure all women have access to affordable contraception. I think we have a real opportunity to build a coalition that will dramatically reduce unplanned pregnancies and abortions. If there is anything we can all agree on, it should be that." |
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Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT-04)
"Planned Parenthood is an extraordinary organization. Thank you for what you do for women, and therefore all of us. For me it is a badge of honor to support Planned Parenthood. It is the right thing to do. I don't have to explain to anyone in my district that we want women to have control over their own lives."
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