[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 7 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S449-S450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      NOMINATION OF DR. DAVID SATCHER, TO BE U.S. SURGEON GENERAL

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I am pleased to support the nomination of 
Dr. David Satcher for U.S. Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for 
Health. I have examined his qualifications and achievements, and I 
believe he has the capacity to serve this country well in the important 
role of the nation's top physician.
  On Tuesday of this week, I, along with Senators Graham and Jeffords 
and Representatives Moran and Leach, announced the formation of the 
Congressional Prevention Coalition. Former Surgeon General C. Everett 
Koop was kind enough to join us at the press conference.
  During the course of his remarks, it struck me how greatly we have 
missed having a national spokesperson on health issues the past three 
years. Dr. Koop spoke forcefully about the grave health risks posed by 
tobacco use, lack of exercise, and poor diet. He didn't pull any 
punches--he gave a stern lecture to all of those present on the dangers 
inherent in the so-called couch potato lifestyle.
  I have reviewed Dr. Satcher's statements before the Senate Labor 
Committee, and he clearly is anxious to start in along the same lines. 
At his confirmation hearing, Dr. Satcher stressed the importance of 
disease prevention and health promotion. As he put it, ``Whether we are 
talking about smoking or poor diets, I want to send the message of good 
health to the American people.'' And I was delighted to learn that one 
of his top priorities in this role would be to put the health of our 
children and grandchildren in the national spotlight. To my view, all 
of these matters fall directly within the job description of a U.S. 
Surgeon General.
  As I said, we have been without a Surgeon General for three years 
now--a period of time when we have been confronted with a staggering 
array of public health issues. The need for a Surgeon General has never 
been greater, as we are seeing an increase in smoking among high school 
seniors, widespread substance abuse, continuing struggles with AIDS, 
and a startling rate of obesity among youngsters. And as we consider 
the potential consequences of human cloning research, I know that I, 
for one, would benefit from the perspective that a Surgeon General 
could bring to this issue.

[[Page S450]]

  Several of my colleagues have expressed their misgivings about this 
nomination. Some have raised concerns about Dr. Satcher's views on late 
term abortions. Others have questioned his role in a series of AZT 
trials that were conducted in Africa. As Senator Jeffords, the Chairman 
of Labor Committee, and Senator Frist, the Chairman of the Public 
Health and Safety Subcommittee, stated during the debate on the 
nomination yesterday, however, these are not new charges. Indeed, each 
of these issues was raised by the Committee during Dr. Satcher's 
confirmation hearing, and it's my understanding that he responded 
satisfactorily. Indeed, his answers on these and other matters have 
been available to all Senators and the American people for some months 
now via the internet.
  Dr. Satcher's participation in many aspects of the health care 
system--provider, scientist, public and private administrator--give him 
the extensive knowledge and experience necessary to fulfill his role as 
the U.S. Surgeon General. He has dedicated his career to improving 
public health.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of Dr. Satcher's 
nomination.

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