Expand All Collapse All Extent 12 folders, approximately 74 pages Summary This collection consists of records pertaining to Joycelyn Elders in her position as Surgeon General. President Clinton appointed her the United States Surgeon General in January 1993, making her the first African American and the second woman (following Antonia Novello) to hold the position. As surgeon general, Elders quickly established a reputation for controversy. The Records in this collection contain memoranda, correspondence, statements and remarks. Scope and Content Note The materials in FOIA 2010-0449-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. These records consist of correspondence, memoranda, statements, calendar, and remarks. Minnie Joycelyn Elders is an American pediatrician and public health administrator. She was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the first African American appointed as Surgeon General of the United States. In 1987 Elders was appointed as the Director of the Arkansas Health Department by then-Governor Bill Clinton. In 1992, she was elected President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers. In January 1993, President Clinton appointed her the United States Surgeon General, making her the first African American and the second woman to hold the position. She was a controversial choice and was not confirmed until September 7, 1993. As Surgeon General, Elders quickly established a reputation for controversy. Some of her major concerns were tobacco use, national health care, and drug and alcohol abuse. She argued for an exploration of the possibility of drug legalization and backed the distribution of contraceptives in schools. After leaving the position of Surgeon General, in January 1995, Elders returned to the University of Arkansas as a faculty researcher and a professor of pediatric endocrinology at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Record Type Textual System of Arrangement Records that are responsive to this FOIA request were found in these collection areas – Clinton Presidential Records: WHORM Alpha Files and Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files. The White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) contains a variety of series created to organize and track documents and correspondence. The WHORM Alpha file was compiled by the White House Office of Records Management from 1993 – 1996 and is a series of documents arranged by name of persons, organizations, or events. Staff and Office files were maintained at the folder level by staff members within their individual offices and document all levels of administration activity. WHORM files are processed at the document level; whereas, Staff and Office files are processed at the folder level, that is, individual documents are not selected and removed from a folder for processing. While this method maintains folder integrity, it frequently results in the incidental processing of documents that are not wholly responsive to the subject area. Access Collection is open to all researchers. Access to Clinton Presidential Records is governed by the Presidential Records Act (PRA) (44 USC 2201) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 USC 552, as amended) and therefore records may be restricted in whole or in part in accordance with legal exemptions. Copyright Documents in this collection that were prepared by officials of the United States government as part of their official duties are in the public domain. Researchers are advised to consult the copyright law of the United States (17 USC, 101) which governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Provenance Official records of William Jefferson Clinton’s presidency are housed at the Clinton Presidential Library and administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under the provisions of the Presidential Records Act (PRA). Processed by Staff Archives Specialist, 2012. Previously restricted materials are added as they are released Last Modified Date 2012-01-05 Container List BOX 1 Clinton Presidential Records: WHORM: Alpha Files [Joycelyn Elders February 17, 1994] [Dr. Joycelyn Elders] Joycelyn Elders, May 17, 1994] [J.A. Walker] Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files Chief of Staff Ickes, Harold Elders, Joycelyn – Names [OA/ID 9165] O’Connor, Jennifer Joycelyn Elders [OA/ID 6139] Domestic Policy Rasco, Carol Meetings, Trips, Events Dr. J. Elders (elementary school based [OA/ID 102184] Clinics) 10/21/93 1:00-2:30 Anheuser-Busch Co. Dr. Elders Dr. Brown [OA/ID 102187] 1-12-93 11:30-12:30 First Lady’s Office Finney, Karen First Lady’s Press Office Joycelyn Elders [OA/ID 11140] Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files (continued) Health Care Task Force Boorstin HC-Elders Speeches [OA/ID 3326] Legislative Affairs Griffin, Patrick Joycelyn Elders [OA/ID 4750] Ricchetti, Steve Statement of Joycelyn Elders H. Ed. & Lab [OA/ID 5360] Sub: Education & Civil R. 1/16/94 LRM [Legislative Referral Memorandum]: [OA/ID 5361] HHS Prop Testim HR 3600 H Ed & Labor HC & Schools w/ Elders 1/26/94 Political Affairs Baggett, Joan Dr. J. Elders [OA/ID 4056]