[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. ROBIN LOWITZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2006

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Robin Lowitz on 
the occasion of her receipt of the prestigious Tikkun Olam Award from 
the Jewish Community Center of Sonoma County (formerly the Jewish 
Community Agency). The ``Healing the World'' Award is bestowed upon an 
individual who demonstrates this Jewish Value and Obligation of 
dedication, perseverance, creativity plus giving time, energy, talents 
and resources to make an important social justice impact on the quality 
of life in a community.
  Robin Lowitz saw a great need in Sonoma County and preceded to fill 
it by envisioning and implementing The Jewish Community Free Clinic, a 
medical clinic specifically for the uninsured,--``the working poor, 
barely able to make ends meet who fall through the cracks.''
  A Berkeley, California, native, Dr. Lowitz had volunteered for 
several faith-based free medical clinics in the Bay Area in the 1990's. 
Upon arriving in Sonoma County and witnessing the need first-hand, she 
garnered volunteers and financial support from the Jewish Community, 
synagogues, and other groups and individuals. In October, 2001, she 
opened the Jewish Community Free Clinic in a space donated by the Lions 
Club of Petaluma.
  That first night there were 6 patients and 15 volunteers. The Clinic 
now provides 2,500 free medical care visits to over 1,000 uninsured 
patients annually, offering free medical care for anyone in need, 
without regard to ethnicity, race or religion. The vast majority of 
patients are uninsured Latino immigrant men, women, and children (many 
of whom need immunizations and physicals in order to attend school). 
They also serve uninsured single parents, students, the elderly, 
homeless, and temporary/unskilled workers.
  The medical equipment at the Clinic is donated, and its 100+ 
volunteers come from all sectors of the community--including the 
communities it serves. Fifteen volunteer physicians, with as many 
nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants rotate each week, 
supplemented by a large referral network of volunteer physician 
specialists. Volunteers also offer social work, growth and development 
monitoring, safety awareness in Spanish and English, Spanish language 
interpreting and community resource referrals.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to offer my congratulations to Dr. Robin 
Lowitz. She had the commitment, passion, and energy to make the Jewish 
Community Free Clinic a reality for the people of Sonoma County and 
truly exemplifies the spirit of Tikkun Olam, Healing the World.

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