By The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Assembly Majority Leader Forty-fifth Assembly District; Relative to Commending
JACQUES CHAMBERS
Whereas, Jacques Chambers has been selected as a recipient of the 1997 Spirit of Hope Award by Being Alive in recognition of the vital role that he has played in improving the quality of life in the HIV/AIDS community; and
Whereas, Jacques Chambers is steadfast in his commitment to making sure that his knowledge of the health insurance industry directly helps people living with HIV and AIDS, and his passion towards this goal is apparent; and
Whereas, Realizing that access to healthcare (insurance coverage) in the AIDS community was working against people with HIV disease rather than for them, Jacques Chambers left a lucrative insurance business, in which he was part owner, in 1990 to become the Manager of the Benefits Program at AIDS Project Los Angeles; and
Whereas, Since that time has been directly interfacing with insurance companies and providers advocating on behalf of the HIV and AIDS community; and
Whereas, He was a consultant to the California Department of Insurance and wrote a report that was the basis for consumer-oriented insurance legislation that was later enacted into law; he was instrumental in the development of People with Kaiser and was a founding member of People with PacifiCare, two consumer advocacy groups within Being Alive, people with HIV/AIDS Action Coalition; and
Whereas, Client Satisfaction Surveys at APLA have always ranked his department as one of the most vital and helpful within the organization; and
Whereas, His greatest source of pride is meeting on a one-on-one basis with 150 to 200 people per month who need help with their own particular insurance situation and where he sees the difference he truly makes in people's lives; and
Whereas, Jacques' commitment to serving others is further echoed by his volunteer activities which include Being Alive, AIDS Service Center, Valley HIV Center, bimonthly PLUS Seminars for Shanti, or the countless other locations he regularly visits; and
Whereas, The contributions that Jacques Chamber has made to the welfare and improvement of the HIV/AIDS community have been invaluable, and he has served as a worthy model for all public-spirited people of the state; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER ANTONION R. VILLARAIGOSA, That Jacques Chambers be congratulated on his selection by Being Alive as a recipient of the 1997 Spirit of Hope Award, commended on his exemplary record of professional and civic leadership, and extended sincere best wishes for every success in the future.
Members
Resolution No. 1786
Dated this 18th Day of October, 1997
Honorable
Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Assembly Majority Leader
45th Assembly District.