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WASHINGTON. 0.t. 20510

September 16, 1981

Ms. Marianne Rea-Luthin
Citizens for Life Inc.
313 Washington St.
Newton, Massachusetts 02158

Dear Ms.  Rea-Luthin:

   Thank you for your recent letter concerning the proposed
nomination of Dr. C. Everett Koop as Surgeon General of the
Public Health Service.

   AS you know, the announcement that Dr. Koop was the
Administration's choice for Surgeon General has engendered
considerable controversy.  I share the concern of those who worry
that Dr. Koop does not have the experience in the field of public
health that is so essential to the duties and responsibilities of
the highest health official in the United States.   I am also
concerned that Dr. Koop's strongly held personal views on many
critical social and moral issues would be detrimental if he
insists on applying those views to the development and
implementations of public policy.

   If the Administration forwards Dr. Koop's nomination to the
Senate for confirmation, you may be assured that I intend to
raise with Dr. Koop the twin issues of his lack of public health
experience and the role he proposes to play in the development
and implementation of public policy.  I am hopeful, however, that
the President will reconsider Dr. Koop's nomination and instead
select an individual better prepared to be Surgeon General.

   Again, thank you for taking the time to let me know your
views on this topic of great concern.

Sincerely,

Committee on Labor
and Human Resources