[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 50 (Monday, December 19, 1994)]
[Pages 2490-2491]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 posi- 

[[Page 2491]]

tive impact she has had on the problems she tackled and the people she 
served.
    I will always be grateful for her service.

Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.