Remarks by Vice President Harris During a Tour of the William J. Rutter Center

UCSF Mission Bay Medical Center
San Francisco, California

THE VICE PRESIDENT: But I’m so looking forward to our conversations. But you all just have to know, we applaud and thank you. We are so grateful for what you all do. And you know, we were just talking about it — it takes a lot to do the work that that you all do, and it can be quite painful because you see so much pain and you care so deeply.

And in spite of all of that, you all are about empowerment, about recognizing — not giving but recognizing the dignity and fighting for the rights.

And it’s extraordinary the gift that you have and that you give. And so, I wanted to come here today — and with the Administrator — so we could talk with you, we can visit with you so we can talk about you as we travel around the country.

Because, you know, we were talking earlier about it. When we’re fighting for the ability of women and their families and their community to receive all that they are entitled to receive, it’s important that we also let them know that they are not alone. And that’s part of telling the stories.

It is also about letting them know and see what the solution looks like so that they don’t have to ever have an experience of wondering whether it is even possible that they would be treated with dignity and receive what is necessary for them to have a joyful and healthy experience and be seen in the full totality of who they are.

So, by being here today and lifting up and sharing what you all are doing here, we’re going to be talking with women you all will never meet, will probably never even know your names or mine, but who will benefit from what you all are doing here on the ground. So, I just want to thank you all so very much.

And with that, why don’t we begin our conversation.

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