I would just like to update all of you on Lactnet regarding the status of
Miriam Labbok's nomination to the post of surgeon general.

Last August, the National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy (NABA)
submitted a letter of recommendation to President Clinton for the nomination
of Miriam Labbok, MD, MPH for the post of surgeon general. Recent
confirmation by Dr. Phil Lee, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health
& Human Services, that the Clinton administration will be supporting a
surgeon general nomination has created the need for NABA to ask breastfeeding
advocates for help in two ways.

First, congressional support must be developed in order to secure a
nomination. Members of congress need to be educated regarding Dr. Labbok as a
candidate that:
- will appeal to both the Administration and Congress
- has a preventive health orientation
- possesses a record emphasizing a cost effective orientation
- promotes community based health improvement
- appeals to a broad base of non-governmental organizations
Breastfeeding advocates can educate their congressional representatives
regarding Dr. Labbok by writing letters suggesting Dr. Labbok as a candidate
who would bring to the Surgeon General position more than 20 years experience
in public health policy, research, and practice.

Second, in order to demonstrate that Dr. Labbok is not just a one issue
candidate (breastfeeding), a very broad base of support must be shown as
evidence that she can lead all segments of the US population into a healthier
21st century. Letters of recommendation are thus needed from organizations
which are non-breastfeeding oriented and not commonly affiliated with one
another. The greater variety of their interests and membership the better.
Contact non-breastfeeding organizations with whom you have ties and ask if
they would be willing to consider submitting her name if you provide them
with information. Include organizations with large or predominant male
membership. Perhaps the men in your life could be asked to help with this.

With these efforts, we will have the opportunity for a major ground swell of
letters of support by the first of the year. Be ready to spread the word! We
will keep you posted of the progress.

Contact Barbara Heiser for Dr. Labbok's short resume as well as her full cv
and the names and addresses of where to send recommendation letters. This is
important, as all information needs to be accurate. We would also appreciate
a copy of the letters you send for our files. Thank you for your help and
interest in this project.
Barbara Heiser
9684 Oak Hill Dr
Ellicott City, MD 21042-1977
(410) 995-3726   Fax (410) 992-1977
e-mail: [log in to unmask]

If you have further questions do not hesitate to call me