[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD REQUEST SURGEON GENERAL'S RESIGNATION

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, earlier this summer, 87 Members of this 
House signed a letter to the President calling for the resignation of 
Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders based on the divisive nature of her use 
of her office. Subsequently, a number of other Members of the House, 
both Republican and Democrat, joined in that call.
  The White House's response to this letter stated that, while Dr. 
Edlers' statements were controversial, they served to broaden debate on 
matters related to public health. In this context, I would like to 
remark upon a recent statement by Dr. Elders.
  In a comment quoted by Margaret Carlson of Time Magazine, Dr. Elders 
caustically described the Catholic Church as ``filled with celibate old 
men in love with the fetus.'' Ms. Carlson went on to note, ``that's 
enough to offend those of us who believe that abortion should be safe, 
legal and rare. Imagine the outrage of Catholics.''
  The type of intolerance and contempt that this latest remark by Dr. 
Elders exemplifies cannot be tolerated from an elected official. Nor 
can her recent statement that selling cocaine is not a crime.
  Dr. Elders has been given every opportunity to change her ways, but 
she refuses. Once again, I call for President Clinton to ask for her 
resignation.

                          ____________________