[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF MAY DEL RIO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 1996

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I join you here today to tell you that an 
era is coming to an end. For the last 30 years, May Del Rio has been on 
the frontlines of the battle to protect women's reproductive rights. 
She has been a leader in this fight on both the national and local 
levels. Next month, May will retire from Planned Parenthood-New York 
City.
  I would like to congratulate May on her incredible career--a career 
that has literally made the difference between American women having 
access to safe, legal abortions and being forced to the back alley. I 
have to admit, though, that my happiness for May is tinged by a little 
sadness. I will miss working with her. In addition to being a valued 
colleague in the fight for the right to choose, May is also someone 
that I have come to know as a friend.
  Anyone who has had the honor of spending time with May will tell you 
that her great gift--aside from her obvious intelligence, tenacity and 
with--is her warmth. May has an incredible spirit, and she radiates 
with kindness and enthusiasm. No wonder may has been so successful at 
lobbying, what legislator could say no to her?
  May began her work on behalf of reproductive rights in 1965, when 
abortion was still illegal. She tells me that one of her proudest and 
happiest days was April 9, 1970. She was in the gallery of the New York 
State Legislature when the bill legalizing abortion in New York was 
passed. That day was the fruition of years of work for May, and the 
beginning of a new mission for her--assuring that every women had 
access to that hard-won right.
  May has worked for Planned Parenthood for the past 18 years. She 
began working at Planned Parenthood-New York City as its director of 
public issues and action in 1978. In that role, she lobbied legislators 
in both Albany and Washington to raise funds for family planning 
services and to assure that poor women had access to abortion services. 
In 1989, May moved to Planned Parenthood Federation of America as the 
national director of field operations.
  Eventually, May returned to Planned Parenthood-New York City as vice 
president of public affairs. There, she has continued to fight on 
behalf of a women's right to obtain safe, affordable, and legal 
reproductive health services--including abortion. May has spent a 
lifetime protecting the rights of American women. Those of us who have 
had the honor or working with her will miss her greatly, and we wish 
her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.

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