Text of Remarks Never Delivered

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Mith much disappointment, I cannot support this statement about AIDS vaccines
as it now stands as submitted from the Research Committee, even though I have
been involved since the Council's inception in focusing on this issue on our
committee. There are many important assessments and recommendations that are
contained in this document and which I agree with, including some that I
proposed. But, regrettably, its overall tone produces a misleading message to the
President and his advisors t i consI just cannot subscribe:
that message is that "all is well with the current Federal AIDS vaccine effort" and
it just needs some touching up at the edges.
In reality, the Federal vaccine effort led by the NIH is in disarray and
However, ry
sensitive egos has removed even the tactful and constructive suggestions for that
agency which were contained in our December draft, a copy of which can be
found in your notebooks in section 8 at pages 27-30.
I am also very disappointed that the committee has refused to invite the NIH to
appear before us to brief us on the status of vaccine issues of utmost concern and
importance to the Council and the nation, and to respond to polite questions about
it. This Council has not hesitated to ask other agencies to do so as we consider
recommendation in their domains, and I find this unique immunity to public
scrutiny most remarkable.
This Council is properly outraged that a tool which may save a number of lives

from HIV -- needle exchange for drug users -- is being hampered by Federal
inaction due to political considerations. I feel just as strongly about similar
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