
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 24, 1993                   TAG: 9307240108
SECTION: NATL/INTL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

CLINTON NOMINEE DEFENDS RECORD

President Clinton's surgeon general nominee stuck to her firm stands on sex education and condom distribution Friday in a one-day confirmation hearing. She also defended herself against criticism of financial dealings while admitting she had been reprimanded for mismanagement of an Arkansas bank.

"Many say that I am a lightning rod," said Dr. Joycelyn Elders.

The former Arkansas health director, her nomination already under fire from conservatives, revealed under questioning by Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy that she and other directors of the National Bank of Arkansas had been cited for a violation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

However, Elders said the offense - involving allegations of management deficiencies - was not considered to be criminal and she was not the target of further investigation.

Elders is virtually assured of the committee's recommendation for confirmation. Majority Democrats on the panel were unanimous in their praise, and her opponents have conceded that if there is to be a fight it will be on the Senate floor. Kennedy said a committee vote was likely next Friday.

Earlier, the former Arkansas health director reaffirmed her support for school sex education and condom distribution. She promised to be "the voice and the vision for the poor and the powerless" as surgeon general.

Opponents have been trying to stop her confirmation on numerous grounds, including her outspoken stances on some sexual issues. Questions also have been raised about her family's finances, her role on the bank's board and her decision to keep quiet a recall of defective condoms distributed by her department in Arkansas.

"I want to change the way we think about health - by putting prevention first," she said. "I want to change the behaviors and attitudes of Americans by promoting programs and policies which will enable us to be responsible for our own health."

Elders pledged that if confirmed by the Senate she would be a forceful advocate for children.

"I would like to make every child born in America a planned, wanted child," she added.

The hearing began with squabbling between Democrats and Republicans, which delayed for three hours everything except Elders' opening statement.

by CNB