    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [December 9, 1994]
    [Page 2169]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Resignation of Joycelyn Elders as Surgeon General
    December 9, 1994

        Dr. Joycelyn Elders is a physician of outstanding ability, energy,
    and commitment. As a pediatrician, she dedicated her life to improving
    the health of children. As Surgeon General, she worked tirelessly to
    reduce teen pregnancy and AIDS and to improve the health of all
    Americans, especially our children.
        Dr. Elders' public statements reflecting differences with
    administration policy and my own convictions have made it necessary for
    her to tender her resignation.
        Those statements in no way diminish her devotion to her work and the
    enormous positive impact she has had on the problems she tackled and the
    people she served.
        I will always be grateful for her service.