[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 26 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H1533-H1535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          NOMINATIONS OF DR. HENRY FOSTER FOR SURGEON GENERAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is very important that we come 
here tonight to talk about the President's nominee for Surgeon General, 
Dr. Henry Foster. Now, a lot has been said about Dr. Foster, but I 
don't think people truly understand Dr. Foster. Dr. Foster has spent a 
lifetime making our country a better place.
  First, let me say that I think Dr. Foster is a fine choice for 
Surgeon General. Apparently, many other individuals and organizations 
do too, including the American Medical Association, which has praised 
him as ``a dedicated teacher, a dependable leader, and a concerned 
advocate for improving access to quality health care.'' I would like to 
include as part of the Record 
[[Page H1534]]  some of the letters of endorsement that have been sent 
on behalf of Dr. Foster.
  I believe we need to stop for one moment and rethink this discussion 
about Dr. Foster. This should not and must not be a discussion about 
how many abortions Dr. Foster has performed. He performed a legal 
medical procedure. Those who oppose a woman's right to choose to have 
an abortion must take that fight somewhere else. Every woman in America 
has the right to choose--that is the law of the land. Dr. Foster has 
done nothing wrong.
  In fact, Dr. Foster has done a great deal that is right. He is a 
leading authority on reducing infant mortality and preventing teen 
pregnancy and drug abuse. He has educated young people about 
contraception and preventive health care. He has worked to encourage 
children to quit smoking.
  This is a man who has not been content to simply practice medicine, 
that is in itself a noble profession. Instead, he has looked in his 
community, seen that there are problems and has tried to help find 
solutions.
  He created the I Have a Future program at Meharry Medical College, 
where he was dean of the medical school and acting president. Then I 
Have a Future program was recognized by President Bush as one of his 
Thousand Points of Light.
  This is a program that helps give teenagers hope and steer them 
toward college instead of teenage pregnancy. This program works. It has 
changed Tonika East's life. Tonika lives in public housing and joined 
the I Have a Future program because as she said, ``everyone else was 
doing it.'' She is now student body president of her school and has 
traveled around the country visiting colleges she might attend.
  Mr. Speaker, this is just one example among many. Dr. Foster has 
spent a lifetime working to improve the lives of others. Dr. Foster 
cares about this Nation and about the future of this country--our 
children.
  It is clear to me that Dr. Foster should be confirmed as Surgeon 
General. There is too much important work to be done in our country to 
waste any more time on this.
  There is no confusion here. There are no more questions that need to 
be answered. Dr. Foster should be confirmed. And he should be confirmed 
now.
  Mr. Speaker, I include the following material, which is supportive of 
Dr. Foster's confirmation:
                                 American Medical Association,

                                    Chicago, IL, February 2, 1995.
     Hon. William J. Clinton,
     President of the United States,
     The White House, Washington, DC
       Dear Mr. President: The American Medical Association 
     enthusiastically supports the nomination of Henry W. Foster, 
     Jr., MD for the position of Surgeon General of the U.S. 
     Public Health Service.
       Dr. Foster is a leading expert in the field of reproductive 
     health. As Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and 
     Gynecology at the John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital of 
     Tuskegee University, Dr. Foster developed a program which is 
     a nationally recognized model for regionalized perinatal 
     health care systems. During his tenure at Meharry Medical 
     College, Dr. Foster founded the innovative ``I Have A 
     Future'' program to address teen pregnancy which brought to 
     focus one of the nation's most pressing public health issues. 
     The ``I Have A Future'' program provides strategies for at-
     risk youth to develop positive decision-making in the areas 
     of personal health and responsibility, while enhancing their 
     self-image. With so many of our nation's youth in crisis, we 
     need creative programs like this one to dramatically reduce 
     the alarming rate of teen pregnancy and we applaud Dr. 
     Foster's commitment to this issue. Adolescent health has long 
     been a public health priority for the AMA and we look forward 
     to working with Dr. Foster on this and other critical public 
     health issues.
       Dr. Foster is a dedicated teacher, a dependable leader, and 
     a concerned advocate for improving access to quality health 
     care for women and underserved populations. Dr. Foster has 
     been a longstanding member of the AMA and he brings the 
     requisite experience, knowledge, and commitment to provide 
     effective leadership as the Surgeon General. We firmly 
     believe that Dr. Foster will serve in the position of Surgeon 
     General with distinction and make many positive contributions 
     to the nation's public health.
           Sincerely,
     James S. Todd, MD.
                                                                    ____



                                 National Medical Association,

                                 Washington, DC, February 2, 1995.
     The President,
     The White House, Washington, DC
       Dear Mr. President: The National Medical Association (NMA) 
     strongly supports the nomination of Henry Foster, M.D. as 
     United States Surgeon General. As an active NMA member, Dr. 
     Foster's service has been exemplary and his work has served 
     as a national model that is being replicated in various 
     segments of health care.
       The NMA believes that Dr. Foster's presence as U.S. Surgeon 
     General will greatly enhance the Administration's ability and 
     capacity to protect the health and welfare of our nation and 
     applauds your excellent selection.
           Sincerely,
                                        Tracy M. Walton, Jr., M.D.
     President.
                                                                    ____

                                        The Assocation of Minority


                                   Health Professions Schools,

                                 Washington, DC, February 2, 1995.
       The Association of Minority Health Professions Schools 
     (AMHPS) today expressed its support for the nomination of 
     Henry Foster, MD as the Surgeon General of the United States.
       AMHPS President, Dr. Henry Lewis stated, ``Dr. Foster is a 
     national leader in medicine and research. His efforts to 
     develop programs for the education and academic enrichment of 
     young people, particularly minorities, have been commendable. 
     Dr. Foster's ``I Have a Future'' program at Nashville's 
     Meharry Medical College is truly a national model.''
       Dr. Foster is a former acting president of Meharry Medical 
     College. Meharry is an institutional member of AMHPS, which 
     represents the nation's Historically Black medical, dental, 
     pharmacy and veterinary schools.
                                                                    ____

                                         Association of Schools of


                                                Public Health,

                                 Washington, DC, February 2, 1995.
     Hon. William Clinton,
     President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the deans of the 27 
     graduate schools of public health in the nation, I wish to go 
     on record in support of Dr. Henry Foster as U.S. Surgeon 
     General. Dr. Foster is well known and respected by the 
     academic public health community for his work with the 
     underserved and for his keen understanding the role 
     prevention plays in reducing morbidity and delaying 
     mortality. He is a recognized leader in the health 
     professions education field and will, no doubt, contribute 
     greatly to fulfilling the administration's primary care and 
     public health workforce goals.
       The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) is the 
     only national organization representing the deans, faculty, 
     and students of this nation's 27 accredited schools of public 
     health in the United States and Puerto Rico. These schools 
     have a combined faculty of over 2,000 and educate more than 
     13,000 students annually from every state in the U.S. and 
     most countries throughout the world. The 27 schools graduate 
     approximately 4,000 public health professionals each year.
       ASPH's principal purpose is to improve the public's health 
     by advancing professional and graduate education, research 
     and service in public health.
           Sincerely,
                                  Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D.,
     President.
                                                                    ____


                                           American College of

                                          Preventive Medicine,

                                 Washington, DC, February 2, 1995.
     Hon. William J. Clinton,
     President of the United States,
     The White House, Washington, DC.
       Dear President Clinton: The American College of Preventive 
     Medicine is pleased to support the nomination of Henry 
     Foster, MD, for the position of Surgeon General of the United 
     States. Dr. Foster will bring to the position a record of 
     leadership and an understanding of the medical training and 
     health care delivery needs of this nation.
       The American College of Preventive Medicine, the national 
     professional society for physicians committed to disease 
     prevention and health promotion, looks forward to working 
     with Dr. Foster on common goals to improve the health of the 
     public.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                Roy L. DeHart, MD,
     President.
                                                                    ____


                                    National Association for Equal


                              Opportunity In Higher Education,

                                                   Washington, DC.
       To whom it may concern: On behalf of the National 
     Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education 
     (NAFEO), the membership association of 117 historically and 
     predominantly Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), we are 
     pleased to know that Dr. Henry W. Foster, Jr. has been 
     recommended to become the Surgeon General of the United 
     States of America.
       I have known Dr. Foster for many years and have long been 
     impressed by his commitment to the health and well-being of 
     the Americans. He has served in a variety of administrative 
     and professional capacities in the Higher Education community 
     including that of Acting President of Meharry Medical 
     College. In addition, his involvement with 
     [[Page H1535]] several organizations and foundations attests 
     to his being able to keep abreast of issues in the medical 
     areas. These accomplishments should serve him well in his new 
     role as Surgeon General.
       On behalf of NAFEO, we wholeheartedly endorse and support 
     the appointment of Dr. Henry W. Foster, Jr. as Surgeon 
     General of the United States.
           Cordially,
                                                  Samuel L. Myers,
     President.
                                                                    ____


                                           The American College of


                              Obstetricians and Gynecologists,

                                    Norfolk, VA, February 2, 1995.
     The President of the United States,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: I would like to wholeheartedly endorse, 
     and commend you for, your nomination of Dr. Henry Foster to 
     be Surgeon General of the United States
       I have known Dr. Foster for many years. He is a very 
     intelligent, conscientious, and able physician. His calm 
     well-balanced approach to problem solving will serve him and 
     the people of the United States well in carrying out the 
     duties of the office of Surgeon General.
       He is highly qualified, and is an excellent choice for the 
     position.
           Sincerely yours,
                                         William C. Andrews, M.D.,
     President.
                                                                    ____

                                     Morehouse School of Medicine,


                                      Office of the President,

                                    Atlanta, GA, January 31, 1995.

             MSM President Endorses Surgeon General Nominee

       Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., President of Morehouse School of 
     Medicine today released the following statement supporting 
     the appointment of Dr. Henry Foster, Jr., as Surgeon General:
       ``Dr. Foster is a highly qualified physician and 
     administrator who would be an outstanding Surgeon General. He 
     has had a distinguished academic career and has directed 
     numerous successful community outreach ventures, including 
     Meharry's teen initiative, ``I Have A Future Program,'' 
     focusing on sexual responsibility, self-esteem and job 
     skills.
       Dr. Foster is a nationally-known, well-respected physician 
     and a great human being who brings a broad perspective and 
     experience to a variety of health and social issues--
     knowledge, skills and experience that are essential for 
     America's Surgeon General. I am absolutely confident that he 
     would serve with distinction.
       I have known him personally since we were classmates at 
     Morehouse College. I treasure him as a friend and respect him 
     as a colleague.''
                                          Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.,
     President.
                                                                    ____



                                        Vanderbilt University,

                                                    Nashville, TN.

               Statement of Support for Dr. Henry Foster

       I have known and worked with Dr. Henry (Hank) Foster for 
     many years. He is a highly qualified and experienced 
     clinician, clinical scientist, educator, medical 
     administrator, and practitioner of problem solving efforts. 
     He is a good friend of good work. He is goal oriented and his 
     goal is a better, healthier life for all Americans. He is a 
     fine choice for Surgeon General.
                                            John E. Chapman, M.D.,
     Dean of Medicine.
                                                                    ____

                                         University of Pittsburgh,


                             Graduate School of Public Health,

                                 Pittsburgh, PA, February 2, 1995.
     Hon. William J. Clinton,
     President of the United States,
     The White House, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: We, the faculty, staff and students of 
     the Graduate School of Public Health would like to 
     enthusiastically endorse the appointment of Henry Foster, 
     M.D. for the position of Surgeon General.
       He brings a broad experience in prevention and public 
     health as well as practice of clinical medicine.
       We believe he is an excellent choice.
           Sincerely,
                                         Donald R. Mattison, M.D.,
     Dean.
                                                                    ____



                                  Department of Public Health,

                                 Des Moines, IA, February 2, 1995.
     Hon. Donna Shalala,
     Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
       Dear Secretary Shalala: It has come to our attention that 
     Dr. Henry W. Foster may become our nation's next Surgeon 
     General. On behalf of the Association of State and 
     Territorial Health Officials, I would like to indicate our 
     support for this choice and offer any assistance we can in 
     assuring Dr. Foster's success.
       The office of Surgeon General has the conscience of our 
     nation's health system. Surgeon Generals have advanced public 
     awareness of the dangers of smoking, unprotected sex and teen 
     pregnancy. No simple issues with forgone conclusions. Today, 
     with health system changes abroad, the need for the public 
     conscience has never been greater, and the need for public 
     health to support this articulation never more imperative.
       Dr. Foster's life experience in both urban and rural 
     settings equip him well to understand the diversity of our 
     nation. Moreover, his clinical, academic and administrative 
     responsibilities have prepared him well to ensure that our 
     nation's response to the issues, particularly, of teen 
     pregnancy and primary care, are appropriate, workable and 
     effective.
       As we see a renewed emphasis on state based planning and 
     community delivery of human services, the state health 
     officers and ASTHO recognize the need for a clear 
     articulation of national interests, strategies and 
     objectives. We believe that Dr. Foster can be a positive 
     force in ensuring that this outcome is achieved.
           Respectfully,
                                          Christopher G. Atchison,
                                                         Director.

  Mr. Speaker, what I would like to do right now is to yield to my good 
friend, the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Clement], from the city of 
Nashville, who has the great privilege of representing Dr. Foster in 
this body.
  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. 
Lewis] for yielding to me. He has been a friend of mine for many, many 
years. We join in strong support of the President's nomination of Dr. 
Henry Foster as Surgeon General of the United States.
  Mr. Chairman, I brought along a lot of faxes tonight. This is just 1 
day of faxes, just tens and hundreds of faxes, letters that we are 
receiving of people at home in Nashville, TN, that know him the best, I 
would say to the gentleman from Georgia, and they are very much behind 
Dr. Foster, because they know him.
  For example, there is the example of the fax I received today.

                          ____________________