Planned Parenthood and the United Nations Foundation Honor Senator Frank Lautenberg for a Lifetime of Leadership on International Family Planning

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the United Nations Foundation, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of  New Jersey, Senator Robert Menendez, and more than one hundred constituents and students at Rutgers University honored the late Senator Frank Lautenberg today with the third International Family Planning Hero award. The Senator’s widow, Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, accepted the award on his behalf. Congressman Rush D. Holt, Jr. and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. were among those in attendance.

During his five terms in Congress, Senator Lautenberg served as a staunch advocate for women’s health in the U.S. and around the world. Among his many accomplishments, he fought to protect funding for Planned Parenthood health centers, to expand funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and to permanently repeal the global gag rule. The Senator passed away on June 3, 2013.

“Senator Lautenberg left an incredible legacy that will continue to benefit millions of women for generations to come,” said Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  “Throughout his distinguished career he fought to protect and expand U.S. support for international women’s health programs, comprehensive sex education, and access to safe, legal abortion.  Thanks to Senator Lautenberg, millions of women and families have and will continue to lead healthier, more productive lives.”

“The evidence is clear: providing access to quality contraceptives saves women’s lives, and leads to healthier families, stronger communities, and more stable, prosperous nations,” said Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation. “It’s not only the right choice; it’s the smart choice for achieving U.S. foreign policy goals. That’s why now, more than ever before, we need Congress to honor Senator Lautenberg’s legacy by helping us create a world where every woman has access to the reproductive health care she wants and needs.”

“Throughout his nearly 30 years in office, Senator Lautenberg was a true champion for women in New Jersey, the U.S., and around the world,” said Ed Remsen, Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Affiliates of New Jersey.  “When some in Congress attempted to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood’s preventive health services, Senator Lautenberg was one of our strongest allies – fighting back and working with us to successfully defeat these attacks on women’s health. His leadership in the Senate, on these and other issues, will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.”

The International Family Planning Hero award was established to honor Congressional leaders who champion support for the world’s most vulnerable women and young people.  In 2009, Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) received the first award. In 2011, Senator Dick Durbin was honored with the second award.

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About Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With nearly 750 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

For more than 40 years, Planned Parenthood Global, the international arm of PPFA, has been working overseas to ensure that women, men, and young people in some of the world’s most neglected areas have access to the health care they need to control their bodies and their futures. By partnering with local advocates, medical service providers, and youth leaders and helping to build sustainable networks and organizations, we find innovative ways to deliver critical services and fight for more inclusive laws and policies.

About The United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.

About Planned Parenthood Affiliates of New Jersey

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of New Jersey is a statewide, non-for-profit organization established by New Jersey’s Planned Parenthood affiliates. Its role is to enhance our ability to protect reproductive freedom, and to ensure access to reproductive health care for all New Jerseyans, regardless of individual circumstance. New Jersey’s Planned Parenthood affiliates are: Planned Parenthood Association of the Mercer Area, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey, Planned Parenthood of Central and Greater Northern New Jersey, and Planned Parenthood of Southern New Jersey. These agencies operate health centers around the state that provide high quality, affordable reproductive health care and primary care services to over 80,000 patients each year. They provide a wide range of preventive health services, including cancer screenings, breast health services, Pap tests, prevention, testing and treatment for STDs, birth control, and HIV testing and counseling. Additionally, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of New Jersey conducts an active advocacy program in the New Jersey Legislature and in the United States Congress in support of reproductive choice and other health care initiatives.