    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [February 10, 1998]
    [Pages 202-203]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Confirmation of David Satcher as Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health
    February 10, 1998

        I am extremely pleased that the Senate, with strong bipartisan
    support, voted to confirm Dr. David Satcher as the Nation's next Surgeon
    General and Assistant Secretary for Health. I commend the Senate for
    voting to make Dr. Satcher the leading voice for our Nation's public
    health.
        No one is better qualified than Dr. Satcher to be America's doctor.
    He is a mainstream physician who is an eloquent advocate for the health
    of all Americans. As Director of the Center for Disease Control, David
    Satcher has helped lead our fights to improve the safety of our food,

    [[Page 203]]

    wipe out the scourge of infectious disease, expand access to vital
    cancer screening, and increase child immunization rates to an all time
    high.
        As Surgeon General, Dr. Satcher will continue to fight to improve
    health for all Americans. He will speak directly to the American
    people--giving us straight talk and sound advice. He will engage us in
    an ongoing conversation about physical activity, good nutrition,
    prevention, and responsible behavior. He will guide our Nation on the
    most important public health issues of our time, including tobacco. This
    year Dr. Satcher will be a leading voice as we work to pass
    comprehensive legislation that will help to free our children from the
    grip of tobacco. I look forward to working with him on this and other
    important challenges that lie before us.
        I would like to thank the Republican and the Democratic leadership
    for shepherding this nomination through the Senate. I would also like to
    add my thanks to Senators Jeffords,
    Frist, Kennedy,
    Mack, and Hatch for
    their strong support for this extremely qualified nominee. I also
    commend the representatives from physicians, nurses, other health
    professionals, and the public health community for their steadfast
    support of Dr. Satcher's nomination. Their combined leadership made a
    vital contribution toward improving the health of all Americans.