[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 82 (Thursday, May 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E866-E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING TERESITA BATAYOLA, RECIPIENT OF THE CHAMPION OF CHANGE 
                                 AWARD

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2014

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound admiration 
that I rise to congratulate Teresita Batayola on being honored as a 
White House Champion of Change. Teresita has been an advocate for the 
Puget Sound region's Asian-American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) community 
for many years and is incredibly deserving of this award.
  Since the beginning of her tenure as CEO of International Community 
Health Services (ICHS) in July of 2005, Teresita has worked tirelessly 
to ensure that the healthcare needs of the AAPI community are met. She 
has overseen the opening of new clinics in Bellevue and the Rainier 
Valley, and developed a mobile dental clinic that visits Seattle area 
middle and high schools. Each year ICHS serves over 19,000 patients in 
50 languages, a feat that I am confident would not be possible without 
Teresita's commitment to understanding the needs and dynamics of the 
communities her organization serves.
  This commitment has taken on a new and innovative form in the last 
year as ICHS has worked to help AAPI communities in the Seattle area 
access the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Under Teresita's 
leadership, ICHS has enrolled over 5,800 individuals in health plans 
through their multi-lingual and multi-cultural in-person assister team. 
This effort to provide culturally appropriate healthcare assistance 
will have a deep impact on the health and wellbeing of these 
communities for years to come.

[[Page E867]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise with great respect to honor Teresita Batayola. 
She has truly made our community a healthier and more just place, and I 
wish her and her organization well in the future.

                          ____________________