Orrin Hatch: “as I said, I have listened with care to the arguments made today in opposition to the nomination of Dr. David Satcher…”

“as I said, I have listened with care to the arguments made today in opposition to the nomination of Dr. David Satcher for the position of Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service and Assistant Secretary for Health, and I feel compelled to rise again in support of this nominee. Let me make perfectly clear that I do not agree with all of Dr. Satcher's positions. I do not agree with all of the positions, indeed with many of the positions, of the Administration he will represent. But, on balance, my overriding consideration, after having spoken extensively with Dr. Satcher, is my conviction that he has exemplary qualifications and experiences that will enable him to hold this important office with great distinction. I know that others, like my friend from Missouri, Senator Ashcroft, and Senator Coats and others earnestly believe that Dr. Satcher should not be confirmed as Surgeon General. I respect their point of view, especially Senator Ashcroft's and Senator Coats' point of view. I believe they have raised some necessary questions for the nominee to answer. The debate over this nomination has focused on important issues of public policy such as partial birth abortion and the appropriate role of the United States conduct of clinical trials in the Third World. These are indeed serious issues worthy of debate by this chamber.”