[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 1769-1770] [From the U.S. 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 [[Page 1770]] 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 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. ____________________