[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 94 (Friday, July 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOS ANGELES PROMOTORAS COMUNITARIAS 
                            TRAINING PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 12, 2002

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to rise today to 
honor the 10th anniversary of the Planned Parenthood Los Angeles 
Promotoras Comunitarias Training Program.
  This innovative community outreach program started in 1991 to help 
promote family planning education programs in Latino communities by 
training women within the community to do the outreach. This is 
important because it helps spread the message of family planning in a 
culturally sensitive manner.
  Not only did the program help spread much-needed information about 
family planning methods, it also instilled in the women who became 
Promotoras a sense of pride and helped them develop critical life 
skills. By giving their families, friends and neighbors vital health 
care information and then facilitating access to gynecological health 
care, Promotoras are empowering women to advocate for their own health 
care. In return, these dedicated women were able to develop job skills, 
communication methods and leadership traits.
  In short, the Promotoras program has helped thousands of women in my 
area learn about gynecological care and domestic violence prevention. I 
urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable 
organization.

                          ____________________