[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4404-S4405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     NOMINATION OF DR. HENRY FOSTER

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, I rise today to join a number of my 
colleagues who are asking that hearings be held on the nomination of 
Dr. Henry Foster for Surgeon General.
  Dr. Foster is widely recognized as one of the Nation's leading 
authorities on infant mortality, as well as preventing teen pregnancy 
and drug abuse. He has contributed a great deal during his career, and 
is clearly an excellent candidate for the position of Surgeon General 
of the United States.
  It is important that we focus on Dr. Foster's credentials and look at 
how he has dedicated his career to helping others. After finishing his 
medical training, Dr. Foster returned to his native rural South and 
began his lifelong crusade against infant mortality. Dr. Foster 
developed a comprehensive approach to maternal and child health which 
involved teams of doctors, social workers, and nutritionists, with a 
goal of preventing health problems in mothers and newborn babies. The 
teams worked in rural communities to reach women early in their 
pregnancies, identify those women with a high potential for 
complication, and ensure they received specialized attention throughout 
their pregnancy and following the birth. Dr. Foster's approach was 
ahead of its time, becoming a national model for regionalized perinatal 
care.
  In 1991 the ``I Have a Future'' program, which Dr. Foster developed, 
was named a ``Point of Light'' by President Bush for its innovative 
work to reduce teen pregnancy and build self-esteem for at-risk youth. 
This program works with parental and community involvement, to help 
teenagers learn skills needed to start a business or get an education, 
and to point out the consequences of teenage pregnancy.
  These are only two of the successful, innovative programs which Dr. 
Foster
 [[Page S4405]] has developed, but they give a good indication of the 
great contributions that Dr. Foster has made.
  Mr. President, there has been much discussion about Dr. Foster 
performing abortions. Abortion is a legal procedure that should not 
disqualify Dr. Foster or any other nominee from Federal appointment. In 
response to some remarks about this performing abortions, Dr. Foster 
states that he believes abortion should be safe, legal, and rare, ``but 
[his] life's work has been dedicated to making sure that young people 
don't have to face the choice of having abortions.'' With efforts such 
as the I have a future program, Dr. Foster has shown this dedication.
  Mr. President, there are several things that have been twisted and 
misinterpreted in looking at Dr. Foster's career. We must look at this 
total record, and his commitment to working with young people, parents, 
and teachers to ensure we do decrease teen pregnancies, do decrease the 
number of low birthweight babies, do decrease the number of children 
living in poverty, and do decrease the number of abortions performed in 
this country.
  I have heard from numerous medical groups in support of Dr. Foster, 
including, the American Medical Association, the American College of 
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, 
American College of Preventive Medicine, and many more. His 
distinguished career, and his commitment to the health of women and 
children, eminently qualify Dr. Foster for the position of Surgeon 
General.
  I look forward to his consideration by the full Senate.
  

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