[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E130-E131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING DORIS WAHL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize Mrs. Doris Wahl's 50 years community service and HIV/AIDS 
advocacy in Whittier, CA. Doris and her husband Wally Wahl, moved to 
Whittier 50 years ago where they raised four beautiful children, 
Michael, Margie, Christopher and Paul. For over 20 years, Doris was an 
active PTA member serving as president and chairwoman of several 
District Advisory Committees.
  Over the years, Doris's community involvement extended to local 
government where she served as commissioner of Parks and Recreation for 
the city of Whittier and served twice as its chairwoman. Doris also 
served as president of the Whittier League of Women Voters, promoting 
civic participation in government and the political process.
  On August 26, 1989, Doris lost her son Christopher due to 
complications with AIDS. Doris's loss and intimate involvement with the 
disease motivated her to found the Whittier Rio Hondo AIDS Project, 
WRHAP, 2 years later. What she learned during her son's illness and in 
subsequent years was that AIDS is not a disease solely driven by a 
virus but also by fear, loneliness and depression. It is for this 
reason that WRHAP provided a compassionate support group for those 
suffering with AIDS. Doris realized the true scope of the local 
epidemic when the support group grew to over 30 members after only 3 
months. In 1993, 2 years later, WRHAP was incorporated as a nonprofit 
organization.
  Since opening its doors, WRHAP has served thousands of people living 
with AIDS and provided HIV prevention information to over 12,000 youth. 
WRHAP currently serves over 100 persons living with HIV/AIDS, conducts 
over 1,200 outreach contacts per year, and provides over 500 
confidential HIV tests.
  Under Doris's leadership, WRHAP has become a one-stop resource for 
people with AIDS. WRHAP's clients receive case management assistance, 
mental health care, and support group therapy. Through collaboration 
with other agencies, WRHAP's clients can also obtain outpatient medical 
and dental care.
  In August 2004, Doris founded the Christopher Wahl Youth Center in 
Whittier as a safe haven and HIV prevention resource for youth.
  Doris has become a nationally recognized figure in advocating for 
appropriate services for people with AIDS, and she co-founded the 
Southern California HIV/AIDS Advocacy Coalition in 1998. Doris was 
twice selected as

[[Page E131]]

Woman of the Year, once by the California State Assembly, once by the 
California State Senate and received a Special Congressional 
Recognition in honor of Women's History Month.
  Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in honoring 
Doris Wahl for her many years of service to the community and for her 
many years of HIV/AIDS advocacy. Let us wish her and her family the 
very best in retirement.

                          ____________________