I can't believe it, but I have just learned that Miriam Labbok (a TRUE
friend of breastfeeding) is going to be put forward as a candidate to fill
the open Surgeon General slot for the US govt.  (Those of you non-USers can
skip this message if you don't wish to read on.)

All of you who wish to submit a well-thought out letter in support of her
candidacy should do so within the next 10-14 days.  Send the letter to:

                                Bob Nash, Assistant to the President
                                Room 158 - Old Executive Office Building
                                Washington, DC 20500

You should mention in your letter the following:

a) that you "support her candidacy for Surgeon General without reservation"
b) that you appreciate/applaud/wahtever President Clinton's recent
statement in support of breastfeeding and world breastfeeding week
c) that you recognizethe position of Surgeon General as
important/essential/whatever in highlighting for the American people the
importance of key health care issues, including preventive health,
particularly for our most vulnerable members, our infants/babies and young
children

Sign your letter using your professional initials, preferably on some kind
of letterhead (if you are allowed to do so). Those of you at universities
may not be able to use your work letterhead, but could certainly mention
your professional qualifications and how highly you regard Dr. Labbok.

By the way, she is one of the world's experts in human fertility, including
continuing work in the Lactational Amenorrhea Method of family planning and
contraception.  She is an obstetrician who truly cares about women, babies
and families and her entire professional life has been devoted to helping
them to help themselves and to assisting in providing appropriate quality
health care for them.

What is her name?  The candidate is:    Miriam Labbok, MD, MPH, Director
                                        Breastfeeding and MCH Division
                                        Institute for Reproductive Health
                                        Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology
                                        Georgetown University Medical Center
                                        Georgetown Center, 6th floor
                                        2115 Wisconsin Avenue NW
                                        Washington, DC 20007

Of course, no one knows if we will even have a Surgeon General--if some of
the XX##$$@@@ peopel in Congress have their way, but I can
dream/imagine/fantasize about how wonderful it would be to have a Surgeon
General who is foresquare for breastfeeding and would put her money on that
where her mouth is!!!

If you know a senator or congressman on the Senate committee that would
review this candidacy, now is the time to pull his/her chain.  Whether this
is the case or not, PLEASE consider writing a letter in support of her
candidacy. (By thew ay, it wouldn't hurt to send a copy of the letter you
send to Mr. Nash to your senator.

Thanks for plowing through this long message.




Def. of LC service: "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities
brilliantly disguised as impossible situations."
Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC - [log in to unmask]