SACRAMENTO –Speaker John A. Pérez released the following statement today in response to the decision by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to withhold support for Planned Parenthood.

“I was deeply dismayed to learn of the decision by the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to sever their ties with Planned Parenthood. I believe this decision undercuts the core mission of Susan G. Komen in fighting for prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

I have been a strong supporter of both organizations for many years. I deeply value the work that Planned Parenthood does to serve as a safety-net for those who cannot afford comprehensive and quality medical care. The preventive work they do—such as breast cancer screenings and pap smears—can mean the difference between life and death for low income women and men, and this lifeline is vital for millions of Californians, and certainly many of the men and women in my district.

I believe it is fundamentally inappropriate for an organization whose sole function is to address a major health problem for women to so blatantly inject political issues into its decision to sever its ties with an organization that shares its same mission and the same commitment to ensuring women—and men—can lead a happy and healthy life. I sincerely hope that the leaders of the national Foundation will reverse this disconcerting decision.”

CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408

Website of Speaker John A. Pérez: www.asmdc.org/speaker