February 9, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 1533 some considerable difficulty. However, issue that is addressed or has been negotiations of contracts in the minor when it became apparent that this cri- brought to us in the last week, should leagues and the major leagues, and sis was spreading like a huge ink blot the U.S. Congress deal with the base- where this baseball stadium should be across world financial markets and in ball strike? I think in order for us to built. The Federal Government will be particular among the emerging mar- assess an answer to that question, we negotiating TV rights for the baseball kets, it became clear that the eco- need to look at what the historical teams. The Federal Government will nomic and national security costs of standards have been in the U.S. Con- have the right under its Baseball Com- U.S. inaction were going to be much gress or in the White House before we mission to subpoena people, as if it is a higher than the risks associated with intervene in a labor dispute between criminal action. You do not want the action. two private parties. Federal Government intervening in the The collapse in Mexico would have First of all, how about Presidential private marketplace. And baseball does adversely affected our ability to con- involvement? You should know that in not, by the very merits of its sport, tinue steering developing countries on the past, it is very rare for a President does not demand that the U.S. Federal a path to free markets and democra- to intervene in a labor dispute. It has Government intervene in the strike. tization. Mexico has been viewed as a occurred, but the standard that seems I think that it is absolutely nec- litmus test for the success or failure in to have been set in the past is that it essary, especially when you are talking our model of development. It is the was necessary for a precedent to occur, about two very wealthy parties, no- largest of the emerging markets, the and the President was brought in when body is going to go hungry between the only one to have joined the 15-member the strike or the labor dispute would owners and the players. Granted, there OECD. That this should happen to an have had a crippling impact on the en- is a ripple effect for people that work OECD country would have been un- tire Nation. for baseball, but does that upon itself thinkable just a few months ago. I will give you some examples. For mandate that they come in? It sure Second, Mexico has been held up as a example, in 1945, at a time of war, does not for Bridgestone Tire Co. down model for other developing countries President Truman intervened and or- in Oklahoma or Caterpillar. The Presi- with its privatization, democratiza- dered the coal miners back to work. In dent has not asked Congress to inter- tion, deregulation, and free-trade ori- 1946, he did so with the railroads. In vene in those because they do not meet entation. The United States, the 1952, again during a time of major con- that standard of having a crippling im- OECD, and the IMF have been very flict, he ordered the steel workers back pact. public in urging other countries to fol- to work. President Nixon in 1972 or- In conclusion, I urge all of you not to low this model. So Mexico’s problems dered the dock workers back to work, allow Congress to intervene in the become the problems for everyone else. obviously a crippling impact because baseball strike. Let the titans of Finally, let me just speak about the we were not able to bring imports into money resolve it amongst themselves. legality of the action. There is no the country. President Carter, 1978, And for gosh sakes, do not create a new doubt in my mind that the President’s with coal, and in 1979 with rail. Presi- Federal agency called the Commission actions were within his authority dent Reagan in 1981 intervened with on Baseball with full-time employees, under the law governing the use of the the air traffic controllers. But even another building in Washington, DC, economic stabilization fund. that intervention was somewhat another bureaucracy, the right of sub- Mr. Speaker, the President acted unique because it dealt with Federal poena, the right to determine private when he had to act. The leadership of employees. And President Clinton last contracts. We do not need it. Baseball this body was correct in supporting August intervened in a labor dispute players, baseball owners, go out there that action. that involved rails. and settle it yourselves. It is your It is important, not only the legal But nowhere in our history can we fight, not the fight of the U.S. Con- correctness of the President’s action, find, especially in a sport or a gress. but its policy sensibility. pasttime, that a President has inter- We should not give you 1 minute of f vened. time by taking it away from the debate I do commend the President the on crime, which is a national crisis, on REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER other day for asking the two parties to the Federal deficit, which is a national AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 76 come to the White House, although I crisis. Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. think the President was overly opti- Go settle your fight amongst your- Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that mistic on his chances of succeeding in selves. bringing about a solution to this dis- the name of the gentleman from Ne- f braska [Mr. BEREUTER] be withdrawn pute. As a result of that, I think the as a cosponsor of H.R. 76. President made a mistake when he of- fered to both of those parties congres- NOMINATIONS OF DR. HENRY The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. FOSTER FOR SURGEON GENERAL CUNNINGHAM). Is there objection to the sional assistance. request of the gentleman from Wiscon- Should Congress intervene? The an- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a sin? swer is clearly no. Baseball, the lack of previous order of the House, the gen- There was no objection. professional baseball, is not a national tleman from Georgia [Mr. LEWIS] is emergency. I would like to see base- recognized for 5 minutes. f ball. I am a baseball fan; my son is a Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a baseball fan. But it is not going to have it is very important that we come here previous order of the House, the gentle- a crippling impact on this country if tonight to talk about the President’s woman from Ohio [Ms. KAPTUR] is rec- we do not have professional baseball nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. ognized for 5 minutes. for a few weeks or even this summer. It Henry Foster. Now, a lot has been said [Ms. KAPTUR addressed the House. is not going to cripple the Nation. It is about Dr. Foster, but I don’t think peo- Her remarks will appear hereafter in not like our coal or our steel or our ple truly understand Dr. Foster. Dr. the Extensions of Remarks.] dock workers. We should not intervene Foster has spent a lifetime making our f in a private dispute. country a better place. As you can see, where does this lead? First, let me say that I think Dr. SHOULD CONGRESS INTERVENE IN Where does it lead if Congress does in- Foster is a fine choice for Surgeon Gen- BASEBALL STRIKE? tervene? We had a bill introduced, a eral. Apparently, many other individ- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a bill in this Congress, this is a bill to es- uals and organizations do too, includ- previous order of the House, the gen- tablish a new Federal agency, the Na- ing the American Medical Association, tleman from Colorado [Mr. MCINNIS] is tional Commission on Baseball. Fed- which has praised him as ‘‘a dedicated recognized for 5 minutes. eral employees, seven full-time Federal teacher, a dependable leader, and a Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, tonight I employees will determine such things concerned advocate for improving ac- would like to visit with you a little as what the price of tickets should be, cess to quality health care.’’ I would about the baseball strike and the very what the contract should be, individual like to include as part of the RECORD H 1534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 9, 1995 some of the letters of endorsement that Tuskegee University, Dr. Foster developed a ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF have been sent on behalf of Dr. Foster. program which is a nationally recognized PUBLIC HEALTH, I believe we need to stop for one mo- model for regionalized perinatal health care Washington, DC, February 2, 1995. ment and rethink this discussion about systems. During his tenure at Meharry Medi- Hon. WILLIAM CLINTON, President, Dr. Foster. This should not and must cal College, Dr. Foster founded the innova- tive ‘‘I Have A Future’’ program to address The White House, not be a discussion about how many Washington, DC. abortions Dr. Foster has performed. He teen pregnancy which brought to focus one of the nation’s most pressing public health DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: On behalf of the performed a legal medical procedure. issues. The ‘‘I Have A Future’’ program pro- deans of the 27 graduate schools of public health in the nation, I wish to go on record Those who oppose a woman’s right to vides strategies for at-risk youth to develop in support of Dr. Henry Foster as U.S. Sur- choose to have an abortion must take positive decision-making in the areas of per- geon General. Dr. Foster is well known and that fight somewhere else. Every sonal health and responsibility, while en- respected by the academic public health woman in America has the right to hancing their self-image. With so many of choose—that is the law of the land. Dr. community for his work with the under- our nation’s youth in crisis, we need creative served and for his keen understanding the Foster has done nothing wrong. programs like this one to dramatically re- role prevention plays in reducing morbidity In fact, Dr. Foster has done a great duce the alarming rate of teen pregnancy and delaying mortality. He is a recognized deal that is right. He is a leading au- and we applaud Dr. Foster’s commitment to leader in the health professions education thority on reducing infant mortality this issue. Adolescent health has long been a field and will, no doubt, contribute greatly and preventing teen pregnancy and public health priority for the AMA and we to fulfilling the administration’s primary drug abuse. He has educated young peo- look forward to working with Dr. Foster on care and public health workforce goals. ple about contraception and preventive this and other critical public health issues. The Association of Schools of Public health care. He has worked to encour- Dr. Foster is a dedicated teacher, a depend- Health (ASPH) is the only national organiza- age children to quit smoking. able leader, and a concerned advocate for im- tion representing the deans, faculty, and stu- proving access to quality health care for dents of this nation’s 27 accredited schools of This is a man who has not been con- public health in the United States and Puer- tent to simply practice medicine, that women and underserved populations. Dr. Foster has been a longstanding member of to Rico. These schools have a combined fac- is in itself a noble profession. Instead, the AMA and he brings the requisite experi- ulty of over 2,000 and educate more than he has looked in his community, seen ence, knowledge, and commitment to pro- 13,000 students annually from every state in that there are problems and has tried vide effective leadership as the Surgeon Gen- the U.S. and most countries throughout the world. The 27 schools graduate approxi- to help find solutions. eral. We firmly believe that Dr. Foster will mately 4,000 public health professionals each He created the I Have a Future pro- serve in the position of Surgeon General year. gram at Meharry Medical College, with distinction and make many positive ASPH’s principal purpose is to improve the where he was dean of the medical contributions to the nation’s public health. public’s health by advancing professional school and acting president. Then I Sincerely, and graduate education, research and service Have a Future program was recognized JAMES S. TODD, MD. in public health. by President Bush as one of his Thou- Sincerely, sand Points of Light. NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, HARVEY V. FINEBERG, M.D., PH.D., This is a program that helps give Washington, DC, February 2, 1995. President. teenagers hope and steer them toward The PRESIDENT, college instead of teenage pregnancy. The White House, Washington, DC AMERICAN COLLEGE OF This program works. It has changed DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: The National Medi- PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, cal Association (NMA) strongly supports the Tonika East’s life. Tonika lives in pub- Washington, DC, February 2, 1995. nomination of Henry Foster, M.D. as United lic housing and joined the I Have a Fu- Hon. WILLIAM J. CLINTON, States Surgeon General. As an active NMA President of the United States, ture program because as she said, ‘‘ev- member, Dr. Foster’s service has been exem- The White House, Washington, DC. eryone else was doing it.’’ She is now plary and his work has served as a national DEAR PRESIDENT CLINTON: The American student body president of her school model that is being replicated in various seg- College of Preventive Medicine is pleased to and has traveled around the country ments of health care. support the nomination of Henry Foster, visiting colleges she might attend. The NMA believes that Dr. Foster’s pres- MD, for the position of Surgeon General of Mr. Speaker, this is just one example ence as U.S. Surgeon General will greatly en- the United States. Dr. Foster will bring to among many. Dr. Foster has spent a hance the Administration’s ability and ca- the position a record of leadership and an un- lifetime working to improve the lives pacity to protect the health and welfare of derstanding of the medical training and our nation and applauds your excellent selec- health care delivery needs of this nation. of others. Dr. Foster cares about this The American College of Preventive Medi- Nation and about the future of this tion. Sincerely, cine, the national professional society for country—our children. physicians committed to disease prevention TRACY M. WALTON, JR., M.D. It is clear to me that Dr. Foster President. and health promotion, looks forward to should be confirmed as Surgeon Gen- working with Dr. Foster on common goals to eral. There is too much important improve the health of the public. work to be done in our country to THE ASSOCATION OF MINORITY Sincerely yours, HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOOLS, waste any more time on this. ROY L. DEHART, MD, Washington, DC, February 2, 1995. President. There is no confusion here. There are The Association of Minority Health Profes- no more questions that need to be an- sions Schools (AMHPS) today expressed its swered. Dr. Foster should be confirmed. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR EQUAL support for the nomination of Henry Foster, OPPORTUNITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION, And he should be confirmed now. MD as the Surgeon General of the United Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker, I include the following States. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: On behalf of the material, which is supportive of Dr. AMHPS President, Dr. Henry Lewis stated, National Association for Equal Opportunity Foster’s confirmation: ‘‘Dr. Foster is a national leader in medicine in Higher Education (NAFEO), the member- AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, and research. His efforts to develop programs ship association of 117 historically and pre- Chicago, IL, February 2, 1995. for the education and academic enrichment dominantly Black colleges and universities Hon. WILLIAM J. CLINTON, of young people, particularly minorities, (HBCUs), we are pleased to know that Dr. President of the United States, have been commendable. Dr. Foster’s ‘‘I Henry W. Foster, Jr. has been recommended The White House, Washington, DC Have a Future’’ program at Nashville’s to become the Surgeon General of the United DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: The American Medi- Meharry Medical College is truly a national States of America. cal Association enthusiastically supports the model.’’ I have known Dr. Foster for many years nomination of Henry W. Foster, Jr., MD for Dr. Foster is a former acting president of and have long been impressed by his commit- the position of Surgeon General of the U.S. Meharry Medical College. Meharry is an in- ment to the health and well-being of the Public Health Service. stitutional member of AMHPS, which rep- Americans. He has served in a variety of ad- Dr. Foster is a leading expert in the field of resents the nation’s Historically Black medi- ministrative and professional capacities in reproductive health. As Chief of the Depart- the Higher Education community including cal, dental, pharmacy and veterinary ment of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the that of Acting President of Meharry Medical schools. John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital of College. In addition, his involvement with February 9, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 1535 several organizations and foundations at- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, For example, there is the example of tests to his being able to keep abreast of is- GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, the fax I received today. sues in the medical areas. These accomplish- Pittsburgh, PA, February 2, 1995. f ments should serve him well in his new role Hon. WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States, as Surgeon General. IN SUPPORT OF DR. HENRY W. On behalf of NAFEO, we wholeheartedly The White House, Washington, DC. FOSTER, JR. endorse and support the appointment of Dr. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: We, the faculty, staff Henry W. Foster, Jr. as Surgeon General of and students of the Graduate School of Pub- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. the United States. lic Health would like to enthusiastically en- CUNNINGHAM). Under a previous order of Cordially, dorse the appointment of Henry Foster, M.D. the House, the gentlewoman from for the position of Surgeon General. SAMUEL L. MYERS, North Carolina [Mrs. CLAYTON] is rec- President. He brings a broad experience in prevention and public health as well as practice of clini- ognized for 5 minutes. cal medicine. Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF We believe he is an excellent choice. to the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS, Sincerely, CLEMENT] to complete his remarks. Norfolk, VA, February 2, 1995. DONALD R. MATTISON, M.D., The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, Dean. The White House, Washington, DC. Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, these DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I would like to DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, faxes that I got today are prime exam- wholeheartedly endorse, and commend you Des Moines, IA, February 2, 1995. ples of those that know Dr. Foster the for, your nomination of Dr. Henry Foster to Hon. DONNA SHALALA, best. This is just one example. Dr. be Surgeon General of the United States Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Henry Foster is a very positive man I have known Dr. Foster for many years. Human Services. and doctor. He is a God-fearing man. DEAR SECRETARY SHALALA: It has come to He is a very intelligent, conscientious, and Dr. Foster cares about people, all peo- able physician. His calm well-balanced ap- our attention that Dr. Henry W. Foster may become our nation’s next Surgeon General. ple, especially women and children. Dr. proach to problem solving will serve him and Foster said recently that some of his the people of the United States well in carry- On behalf of the Association of State and ing out the duties of the office of Surgeon Territorial Health Officials, I would like to priorities as Surgeon General are teen- General. indicate our support for this choice and offer aged pregnancy, AIDS, low birth- He is highly qualified, and is an excellent any assistance we can in assuring Dr. Fos- weight babies, children that abuse with choice for the position. ter’s success. the consumption of alcohol and to- Sincerely yours, The office of Surgeon General has the con- bacco. science of our nation’s health system. Sur- WILLIAM C. ANDREWS, M.D., He has a lot of priorities, but I think President. geon Generals have advanced public aware- ness of the dangers of smoking, unprotected the most we can ask, let Dr. Foster sex and teen pregnancy. No simple issues have his day. MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, with forgone conclusions. Today, with health We have heard from a lot of people OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, system changes abroad, the need for the pub- that feel very strongly on issues, and Atlanta, GA, January 31, 1995. lic conscience has never been greater, and we all feel strongly on issues. We can MSM PRESIDENT ENDORSES SURGEON the need for public health to support this ar- surely do a lot to divide our country; GENERAL NOMINEE ticulation never more imperative. however, let us find ways to unite the Dr. Foster’s life experience in both urban Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., President of country. Let us at least give Dr. Foster and rural settings equip him well to under- the opportunity to plead his case in the Morehouse School of Medicine today re- stand the diversity of our nation. Moreover, leased the following statement supporting his clinical, academic and administrative re- U.S. Senate before the confirmation the appointment of Dr. Henry Foster, Jr., as sponsibilities have prepared him well to en- hearings. Surgeon General: sure that our nation’s response to the issues, I know, by knowing Dr. Foster on a ‘‘Dr. Foster is a highly qualified physician particularly, of teen pregnancy and primary very personal and professional basis, and administrator who would be an out- care, are appropriate, workable and effec- that when he pleads his case people standing Surgeon General. He has had a dis- tive. tinguished academic career and has directed will listen and understand this man is As we see a renewed emphasis on state qualified, this man is compassionate, numerous successful community outreach based planning and community delivery of ventures, including Meharry’s teen initia- and this man can serve us well as the human services, the state health officers and next Surgeon General of the United tive, ‘‘I Have A Future Program,’’ focusing ASTHO recognize the need for a clear articu- on sexual responsibility, self-esteem and job lation of national interests, strategies and States. skills. objectives. We believe that Dr. Foster can be Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I also Dr. Foster is a nationally-known, well-re- a positive force in ensuring that this out- want to join in supporting Dr. Foster spected physician and a great human being come is achieved. as the Surgeon General. He is emi- who brings a broad perspective and experi- Respectfully, nently and exceptionally qualified. In ence to a variety of health and social is- CHRISTOPHER G. ATCHISON, fact, his qualifications are not being sues—knowledge, skills and experience that Director. are essential for America’s Surgeon General. questioned. His suitability is not being I am absolutely confident that he would Mr. Speaker, what I would like to do questioned. If there is any question at serve with distinction. right now is to yield to my good friend, all, it is just if he had the recall of I have known him personally since we were the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. mind for 30 years of all the details of a classmates at Morehouse College. I treasure CLEMENT], from the city of Nashville, very distinguished career. him as a friend and respect him as a col- who has the great privilege of rep- Mr. Speaker, I would say even those league.’’ resenting Dr. Foster in this body. things that he is questioned about, the LOUIS W. SULLIVAN, M.D., Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I thank numbers of, not whether he did any- President. the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. thing illegal, he practiced his profes- LEWIS] for yielding to me. He has been sion and did it well. He was a re- VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, a friend of mine for many, many years. searcher. It simply concerned an oppor- Nashville, TN. We join in strong support of the Presi- tunity to recall something, and he STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR DR. HENRY dent’s nomination of Dr. Henry Foster failed to recall the exact number. I FOSTER as Surgeon General of the United question anybody who has not had the I have known and worked with Dr. Henry States. opportunity to misstate a number or (Hank) Foster for many years. He is a highly Mr. Chairman, I brought along a lot misstate what they did yesterday. qualified and experienced clinician, clinical of faxes tonight. This is just 1 day of Certainly, Mr. Speaker, we would not scientist, educator, medical administrator, faxes, just tens and hundreds of faxes, expect, with a man who has had such a and practitioner of problem solving efforts. letters that we are receiving of people distinguished career, that he would be He is a good friend of good work. He is goal at home in Nashville, TN, that know judged for a momentary lapse of a oriented and his goal is a better, healthier life for all Americans. He is a fine choice for him the best, I would say to the gen- number. In that instant, please under- Surgeon General. tleman from Georgia, and they are stand, Mr. Speaker, there was nothing JOHN E. CHAPMAN, M.D., very much behind Dr. Foster, because about anything that he did inappropri- Dean of Medicine. they know him. ately, any violation of the law.