[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF TERRI BARTLETT AND HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO WOMEN'S 
        REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Ms. McCollum of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, throughout my public career 
I have been a vocal and determined supporter of women's reproductive 
healthcare, safe motherhood and the belief that all couples have a 
right to plan their family size by ensuring that women have access to 
voluntary family planning services. I want women in the U.S. and in 
every corner of the world to be healthy. Achieving this goal takes hard 
work and the commitment of people with passion, intellect and a drive 
to ensure that women have the right to make choices about their own 
healthcare needs.
  In Congress, I have the privilege of voting to support women's 
reproductive healthcare, but there are many other important people who 
do the hard work everyday that makes the real differences in women's 
lives. I had the honor of working with one such person who dedicated 
her life to serving the health needs of women and their families.
  Terri Bartlett was a champion for women and their families. She 
dedicated three decades of her life to ensuring the most basic right 
women so often are denied--the right to access safe reproductive 
healthcare.
  I got to know Terri in 2005 in her capacity as Vice President for 
Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives at Population Action 
International. Her mantra was expanding access to contraception for the 
poorest women on the planet to keep them productive, healthy and alive. 
Terri impressed me with her energy, good political sense, and tireless 
commitment.
  When Terri and I met it was not a good time in Congress to be 
advocating for women's reproductive rights. Women healthcare was on the 
defensive and the world's poorest women who needed U.S. support the 
most were increasingly being ignored. Their pain, their hopes and their 
desire for healthier children and control of their own lives was never 
ignored by Terri. She was their champion. She was often their voice in 
the halls of Congress.
  As we look ahead, with the election of President-Elect Barack Obama 
and strong Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, the 
issues of women's reproductive healthcare and family planning will once 
again be the focus of constructive action and hopefully increased 
funding that will put the needs of women first--women in the U.S., as 
well as women in poor villages in Ethiopia and in the slums of Nairobi. 
This was the moment and the goal that Terri Bartlett worked so hard to 
achieve. The repeal of the Global Gag Rule, reinvestment in family 
planning, and making the lives of poor women a priority were Terri's 
fights and she fought tirelessly.
  On Saturday, November 8, 2008, Terri Bartlett died unexpectedly in 
Nashville, TN. Her passing was a great shock and loss to friends, 
colleagues and those who loved her. This was a sad loss for me 
personally.
  In my work I get to meet many, many people who try and influence 
public policy. Terri Bartlett's work and life went beyond shaping 
public policy. She helped to improve life for millions of women who 
never knew her. I am grateful for Terri's work and I am thankful she 
entered my life. She will be missed by many, including me.

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