Dear Editor:
All of us at Mazzoni Center would like to extend our sincere thanks to [U. S. Rep.] Chaka Fattah for his eloquent tribute to Dr. Walter Lear (1923-2010), one of our founding board members, which was entered into the Congressional Record on June 30, 2010.
As we celebrate the Independence holiday, it is worth noting the contributions of an individual who was committed to social justice for all Americans. Dr. Lear was not only a committed physician and a dedicated public servant, but a passionate and outspoken health advocate for the LGBT communities, and a great Philadelphian.
His leadership in helping to form the organization known as Lavender Health (now Mazzoni Center) back in 1979 was indicative of his personal commitment to social justice and health-care access for all citizens. We are proud to continue the mission of expanding health-care access not only to Philadelphia’s LGBT communities, but to communities of color, to at-risk youth, to those affected by HIV/AIDS and anyone who faces barriers to quality, affordable health care.
Representative Fattah’s public recognition of Dr. Lear’s contributions means a great deal not only those of us who knew him, but to the larger community of LGBT citizens in Philadelphia. We thank him for taking the time to recognize our dear friend.
Sincerely,
Nurit Shein Executive director, Mazzoni Center