[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 137 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF GARY YATES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2011

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Gary L. Yates for providing 
two decades of leadership in health philanthropy through his work at 
the California Wellness Foundation.
  After three years at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Mr. Yates 
joined the Foundation as a senior program officer in 1992, was named 
the Interim President in 1994 and President and CEO in 1995.
  Mr. Yates received his B.A. in Government from American University 
and his Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of 
Northern Colorado. He also served in the United States Army from 1968-
1970. He is a licensed marriage, family, child therapist and a clinical 
assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern 
California Medical School where he trains doctors, psychologists, and 
social workers on how to work with adolescents. In brief, he is 
dedicated to improving health outcomes for those most in need.
  Since joining the TCWF, Mr. Yates has worked tirelessly to create, 
lead and support initiatives to improve health and decrease violence 
throughout the state of California. In 1992, he led TCWF's first 
proactive grantmaking program, a 10-year, $60 million Violence 
Prevention Initiative. His approach to grantmaking has ensured that 
funds reach the right people, places, and causes, such as environmental 
health, violence protection, teen pregnancy prevention and women's 
health.
  Mr. Yates' commitment to philanthropy can only be described as 
inexhaustible and inspirational. He also serves as a member of the 
board of Independent Sector and is co-chair of Voices for Philanthropy, 
a project of the Philanthropy Roundtable. He has previously served as 
the treasurer of Hispanics in Philanthropy, vice-chair of the boards of 
the Council on Foundations and Independent Sector, and chair of the 
boards of Grantmakers in Health, the Foundation Consortium, and 
Southern California Grantmakers.
  During his time at TCWF, Mr. Yates has received many prestigious 
awards and honors, and this fall he will be recognized by the Center 
for Community Health and Well-Being, the California Primary Care 
Association and the National Hispanic Health Foundation.
  It has been a personal privilege to work with him on a myriad of 
issues over the years, especially women's health.
  Mr. Yates and his wife Ann are the proud parents of five sons.
  Mr. Speaker, it is right to honor Gary L. Yates for his tireless 
dedication to the people of California upon the occasion of his 
retirement on September 14, 2011, after 19 years as a leading health 
philanthropist.

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