    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 11 (Monday, March 22, 1993)]
    [Page 440]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With the Hispanic Caucus

     March 16, 1993

        Q. Mr. President, what are you doing in this meeting tonight, or
    this afternoon? Some special----
        The President. Well, we're going to talk about a lot of things of
    interest to the caucus, and I'm going to listen. We're going to talk
    about the economic program, and they're going to talk about some things
    that they're interested in in the administration. And they can talk
    about it when the meeting is over. I'm listening today.

    Surgeon General

        Q. Mr. President, could you tell us why Dr. Novello is being asked
    to step down as Surgeon General before her term expires?
        The President. I don't know what arrangements--she's going to
    continue in the Department of Health and Human Services, and I have a
    very high regard for her. And I told Donna Shalala when I appointed her
    Secretary of HHS that I had a very strong feeling about wanting my
    health department director from home to be the Surgeon General, but that
    I very strongly approved of the record Dr. Novello has made and I hoped
    that we could persuade her to stay on. And this is an arrangement they
    all worked out. I don't know the details and the timing. I can't comment
    on it. I just don't know anything about that.

    Note: The exchange began at 5:51 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.