[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              SURGEON GENERAL LACKS CREDITABLE LEADERSHIP

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                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 1994

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, in the January 30 issue of the New York 
Times Sunday Magazine, our Nation's Surgeon General commented on her 
ongoing crusade to promote the use of condoms.
  She said--and let me quote her:

       If I could be the ``condom queen'' and get every young 
     person who is engaging in sex to use a condom in the United 
     States, I would wear a crown on my head with a condom on it! 
     I would!

  That came right out of Joycelyn Elder's mouth, my friends. And it 
really bothers me. Because of her obsession with condoms, the public 
doesn't take seriously anything Dr. Elders says about other 
alternatives to preventing diseases and avoiding unwanted pregnancies. 
How can our Nation's leading health figure be effective if she only 
portrays to the public her special agenda, one that focuses on condoms 
and ignores personal responsibility.
  In addition to her lack of credible leadership, our Surgeon General 
throws up her hands in defeat when faced with the tough social problems 
facing our Nation. She urges surrender in the drug war by advocating 
legalizing drug use. When it comes to unwanted pregnancies, Dr. Elders 
urges abortions and the use of condoms as a substitute for moral 
leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, it's getting high time that Dr. Elders, the self-
proclaimed condom queen, do the only sensible thing and step off the 
throne.

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