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Remarks Announcing the I want to thank the former NIH Director, Nominations of Dr. Elias Zerhouni Harold Varmus, for being here. Antonia To Be Director of the National Novello is here. Thank you, Antonia. I re- Institutes of Health and Dr. Richard member you. [Laughter] She was a former Carmona To Be Surgeon General Surgeon General under ‘‘41.’’ [Laughter] And I’m so pleased that former House Mi- March 26, 2002 nority Leader Bob Michel, former Senator Dennis DeConcini of , former Con- Well, thank you, Tommy, very much, and gressman John Porter, as well, from Illinois, welcome to the White House for this historic is here. Thank you all for coming. We’re hon- announcement. I appreciate your leadership, ored you’re here. And I also want to thank Tommy, in leading this administration’s the Ambassador from Algeria for being here strong efforts to improve our Nation’s health as well. Thank you all for coming. care, to make sure that more Americans get The National Institutes of Health is enter- affordable health care, better patient protec- ing a new era of medical promise. NIH re- tions, that the system puts our patients first, searchers recently cracked the genetic code, the system understands the importance of an amazing achievement with enormous po- our docs, and we value that relationship, pa- tient and doctor. tential benefits. New diagnostic tools are alerting patients when they have an elevated I also want to assure our fellow Americans risk of certain diseases, so they can take an that we’re going to make and are making an active role in preventing them. New treat- unprecedented commitment to medical re- search. And we’re improving our public ment therapies will be tailor-made for an in- health system to make sure that we can re- dividual’s genetic makeup. And many med- spond quickly to any biological threat that ical treatments will become less invasive. our country may face. We’re putting sound American is on the verge of dra- health care policies in place and, as impor- matic progress against AIDS, against diabe- tantly, putting a quality team in place. And tes, and against heart disease. We’re closing that’s what we’re here to discuss today. in on cancer’s cause and cancer’s cure. It’s my honor to nominate two fine men The anthrax attacks against American citi- to head important Government institutions, zens also demonstrated the need to strength- to take important jobs. My nominee to lead en our defenses against bioterrorism. Med- the National Institute of Health is Elias ical research will improve our ability to iden- Zerhouni, and my nominee as the next Sur- tify and respond and treat infectious diseases, geon General is Richard Carmona. These are whether they occur naturally or are used as distinguished physicians who have worked terrorist weapons. The NIH has taken a lead- tirelessly to save lives and to improve lives. ing role in this important front on the war They bring exceptional knowledge and skill against terror. The work of the National In- to these critical jobs. And they are absolutely stitutes of Health have never been more dedicated to improving the health and well- promising and never been more important. being of all Americans. Leading the NIH is a great responsibility, It is my honor to welcome their families and I have picked the right man to do so. here as well. Thank you all for coming, Nadia Dr. Zerhouni and his wife immigrated to Zerhouni and her children, and Diane America from Algeria with $300 in their Carmona and her children. We welcome you pocket, but a dream of opportunity. Today, all, and we’re glad you’re here. I want to he is the executive vice dean of the Johns thank the Acting NIH Director, Ruth Hopkins University School of Medicine, the Kirschstein, for being here as well. Where chairman of the department of radiology and are you, Ruth? There you are. Thank you radiological science at Johns Hopkins, and a so much, Ruth, for a fine job. I appreciate professor of radiology and biomedical engi- the Acting Surgeon General. Ken, where are neering. He is an expert in biomedical re- you? Ken, thank you for being here, and search and is committed to extending his thank you for your find job as well. benefits to all Americans and all humanity.

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Dr. Zerhouni will also bring strong man- professor of family and community medicine agement skills to the NIH, and they are at the . He is also the needed. This is a large and complex organiza- chairman of the State of Arizona Southern tion. The NIH budget has grown dramati- Regional Emergency Medical System. He cally from around $2 billion in 1975 to more will bring to the Surgeon General’s Office than $23 billion today. And my 2003 budget a proven commitment to service and a strong proposes an additional increase of nearly $4 management background. billion. I urge Congress to approve this in- The next Surgeon General will address crease, and when they do, we will have com- three particularly urgent issues. First, the pleted my campaign commitment to double Surgeon General administers the 5,600- funding to this vital medical research over member Public Health Service Commission the next 5 years. Dr. Zerhouni is well pre- Corps, health care professionals who are on pared to manage this rapidly growing institu- call for emergency duty. Members of this tion during times of great new opportunity force were deployed in and Wash- and urgent biodefense needs. He has super- ington, DC, after the terrorist attacks of Sep- vised research at Johns Hopkins, one of our tember the 11th and during the anthrax at- Nation’s leading research facilities. One tacks that followed. Dr. Carmona has worked former colleague calls him a quadruple for many years in law enforcement and com- threat: a doctor who excels at teaching, re- munity preparedness, important preparation searching, patient care, and management. for any emergency that may come. Dr. Dr. Zerhouni shares my view that human Carmona is an experienced voice to help life is precious and should not be exploited educate Americans about the best pre- or destroyed for the benefits of others. And cautions and response to the threat of bioter- he shares my view that the promise of ethi- rorism. cally conducted medical research is limitless. Second, I have asked Dr. Carmona to lead As Director of the NIH, Dr. Zerhouni will an important initiative focusing on preven- be at the forefront of our efforts to promote tion and lifelong healthy living as a key com- biomedical research with a careful regard for ponent to medical care. The research is over- the bounds of medical ethics. whelming that simple improvements in diet Dr. Zerhouni, thank you for accepting this and exercise would result in dramatic im- incredibly exciting challenge. provements in America’s health. Studies Translating medical research into practical show that overweight Americans who are at life-improving changes is a critical function risk of developing type II diabetes or coro- of the Surgeon General. Since 1871, the Sur- nary heart disease can delay and possibly pre- geon General has been America’s chief vent these diseases with just moderate exer- health educator, giving Americans the best, cise and a healthy diet. Walking 30 minutes most up-to-date knowledge on how to im- a day will dramatically improve your life. prove their health and reduce the risk of dis- Playing a game with your children in your ease. backyard will help. Walking in a park can When I first learned that Dr. Richard make a difference to your health. These rel- Carmona once dangled out of a moving heli- atively small actions can dramatically reduce copter, I worried that maybe he wasn’t the costs and strain on our health care system. best guy to educate our Americans about re- Fitness and a healthy lifestyle are a priority ducing health risks. [Laughter] But that for me. I really like to run. It makes me feel turned out to be just one of several times better. The doc and I are going to encourage that Dr. Carmona risked his own life to save all our country to either run or walk or swim others. As an Army Green Beret in Vietnam, or bicycle for the good of their families, for a decorated police officer in Pima County, the good of their own health, and for the Arizona, a SWAT team member, a nurse, and good of the health of the Nation. a physician, Dr. Carmona has redefined the And thirdly, Dr. Carmona is going to speak term ‘‘hands-on medicine.’’ regularly to the Nation about alcohol and Dr. Carmona currently serves as the clin- drug abuse and the tremendous toll they take ical professor of surgery and clinical assistant on our society. Substance abuse by students

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undermines academic achievement and dims Q. But without much fanfare—a signal the great hope of the American Dream. Alco- that you’re really unhappy with it? hol is a prime cause for many of our society’s The President. No, I wouldn’t have ills, not the least of which is domestic vio- signed it if I was really unhappy with it. I lence. And the long-term health effects of think it improves the system. And it improves alcohol and drug abuse are devastating. If we the system because it enables an individual want to live healthier and longer, we’re going to give more money. And I want to do—is to have to tackle the problems of alcohol and have a system that encourages more indi- drug abuse. And Dr. Carmona’s going to vidual participation as well as more disclo- make that one of his priorities. sure. Doctor, I thank you so very much for your I’ve always been concerned about a system willingness to serve our country. where money is given to entities and stake- I have found two fine Americans who are holders have no say. So I was concerned willing to serve our Nation, and I’m grateful about shareholders of corporate America not for their service. It is now my honor to wel- come to the podium Dr. Zerhouni, the nomi- having a say, as well as labor union members nee to run our National Institute of Health. not having a say about how their money is being spent. This bill improves the system. Q. Mr. President, the objection you raised NOTE: The President spoke at 1:47 p.m. in the East Room at the White House. In his remarks, in the last week of debate on the bill is that he referred to Secretary of Health and Human it didn’t take effect immediately, the ban on Services Tommy G. Thompson; Nadia Zerhouni, soft money would not take effect until after wife of Elias Zerhouni, and their children, Will, the election. Do you find it ironic that given Yasmin, and Adam; Diana Carmona, wife of Rich- that that was your opposition, today, right ard Carmona; and Idriss Jazairy, Algerian Ambas- after signing the bill, you’re out raising—— sador to the . The President. I’m not going to lay down my arms. I’m going to participate in the rules Remarks and an Exchange With of the system. The Senate races are very im- Reporters in Greenville, South portant for me. I want the Republicans to Carolina take control of the Senate, and I want Denny Hastert to be the Speaker of the House. And March 27, 2002 these are the rules. And that’s why I’m going to campaign for like-minded people. President’s Visit The President. I’m looking forward to getting down to Texas. But first, I’m really Situation in the Middle East looking forward to campaigning here in Q. Do you have any plans to talk to Prime South Carolina for Lindsey Graham. And I’m Minister Sharon? looking forward to making some announce- The President. I don’t today. I’m sure the ments about homeland security, both in Secretary of State is in touch in the area, South Carolina and in Georgia. And then I’m with the leaders of the area. But let me say going on from there to help my friend Saxby this—and I think the important thing about Chambliss. Then I’ll be heading home to- the Middle East is that we’re making very night. good progress on the Tenet accord. In other It’s good to be back in South Carolina. I’ve words, there’s a chance we’ll have an agree- got a lot of friends down here, and it’s always ment on the security arrangements necessary good to stay in touch with your friends. to hopefully then get into Mitchell. General Zinni is still in the area. Let me Campaign Finance Reform put it this way: I’m optimistic that progress Q. On campaign finance—— is being made. And I’ve asked General Zinni The President. Yes, I signed the bill this morning.

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