THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, May 15, 1995 TAG: 9505150036
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PHILIP WALZER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Surgeon general nominee Henry W. Foster Jr. told Hampton University graduates Sunday that ``the tide is turning'' in his favor as more people come to know him as a ``competent, caring doctor'' determined to save lives.
``The system seems to be working,'' he said. ``Most of the senators who had only read or heard about me have kept open, critical minds. . . . Many of them saw that I am a competent, caring doctor who had devoted his entire life to saving lives and bringing health and hope to those who have been left out, to those others don't care about.
``I believe the tide is turning. I am confident I will get a full Senate vote on my confirmation.''
Foster has been under fire from conservatives for having performed abortions and for underestimating the number in his initial comments. Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole, R-Kan., has threatened to block his nomination from coming before the Senate for a vote. Other Republicans have promised a filibuster to keep him from office.
But after Foster pleaded his case at Senate committee hearings this month, some Republicans have spoken in his favor and Dole said he may reconsider.
At Hampton, Foster cited the controversy engulfing his nomination in stressing the value of critical thinking: ``I must warn you that everything you read or see on television must be critically analyzed. . . . For three solid months up until the hearings, the senators and the American people were bombarded with newspaper and television reports which distorted both my record and my character.''
Foster's only other reference to his nomination during his 14-minute speech was his description of himself as ``a doctor, who, because of principle, is fighting fiercely to become the next surgeon general of the United States.''
Hampton President William R. Harvey offered a ringing endorsement of Foster in his introduction. Foster delivered Harvey's son, Chris, when Harvey was vice president of Tuskegee University in Alabama and Foster was an obstetrician at the university hospital.
``His entire professional career is one that should be celebrated, rather than denigrated, as some have attempted to do,'' Harvey said, prompting applause from the 8,000 people at Hampton's convocation center.
Referring to him as ``Hank,'' Harvey said: ``As an obstetrician, he provided first-rate services to women of all economic classes, especially the poor. He never turned his back on a woman who needed him. He did what most doctors do not do today - and that is travel into the communities and into the homes to provide health and comfort to some who had never seen a doctor. . .
``I am absolutely convinced that not only did Hank deliver new lives, but he also saved many lives of unborn children because he cared. He cared about unborn children, he cared about the health of his community and he cared about his patients.''
At the edge of campus, far from the hall, a dozen supporters of abortion rights and a handful of opponents held signs either supporting Foster's nomination or decrying him as a ``baby killer.''
But some of the 930 graduates said the issue should be off-limits during graduation. ``To be honest,'' said Jerel White, a marketing major from Richmond, ``I don't think it has any place. This is our day. I feel they're interrupting our event.''
Most seniors and relatives welcomed the chance to hear Foster. ``With any type of political person such as Dr. Foster, you have to take advantage of the opportunity to hear what he has to say,'' said Kevin McBurnette, an accounting major from Philadelphia. ``I'll give anybody a chance - that's what we've been taught.''
Vivian Barrett of Philadelphia, whose great-niece graduated, said Foster offered a valuable lesson in overcoming obstacles: ``They can get some of the feeling he is going through. The fire is going to come for all students. No matter how ready you are, you still face difficulties getting ahead.''
Sancha Haysbert-Smith of Norfolk said the particulars of his speech meshed with her philosophy: Don't ever stop reading, keep the TV off during family dinners, help others less fortunate.
``He's an advocate of lifelong learning and giving of yourself,'' said Haysbert-Smith, whose cousin graduated.
``That's a wonderful example to extend to young people.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
TAMARA VONINSKI/
Staff
Surgeon general nominee Henry W. Foster Jr. told some 930 Hampton
University graduates and their families Sunday that the controversy
swirling around his confirmation stresses the value of critical
thinking.
by CNB