HkNfiY J. HYDE
STN DISTNKT, ILUNOI~

1203 LONGWORVI HOUSE OFWX! BWLDINO
    WASHINOTON. D.C. 20115
      (202) 225-45Sl

COMMITTUO:
JUDICIARY

BANKING. FINANCE AND
  URBAN AFFAIRS

July 13, 1981

Hon. John E. Porter
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515

Dear John:

I have never asked you for a "personal favor", but I am now!

Discharge Petition # 5 is on behalf of H. R, 3154, which seeks to
eliminate the discriminatory age limit for membership in the Public
Health Service.

The Reagan Administration seeks to appoint Dr. C. Everett Koop as
Surgeon General, but since he just attained his 64th birthday, under
present law he cannot be appointed to the P.H. S. , and this is an
essential pre-condition to eligibility for Surgeon General.

Now everyone is against anachronistic age limitations -- but the real
opposition to Dr. Koop arises from the fact that he is "pro-life"

An abbreviated version of his biography is enclosed. A casual
reading will convince you that he is one of the great medical
achievers of our time, and the fact that his view on the issue of
abortion is the same as President Reagan's and Secretary Schweiker's
should not disqualify him.

I know many Members say "1 don't sign discharge petitions" -- but
once in a while a matter of principle ought to outweigh a matter of
procedure.  This, surely, is such a time.
As of today we have about 160 signatures.

Will you help ? Please? Today?

Many thanks,

Cordially,

HJH:thp
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