DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
9000 ROCKVILLE PIKE
BETHESDA, MD. 20014

REFER TO:

JUN 6 198?

Dear Dr, Lederberg;

It gives me great pleasure to invite you to membership on the
Public Health Service's National Advisory Mental Health Council
for the term commencing October 1, 1967, through September 30,
L971,

The Public Health Service Act provides that the Surgeon General
shall encourage, cooperate with, and render assistance to appro-
priate public authorities, scientific institutions, and scientists
in the conduct and coordination of research, investigations,
experiments, demonstrations, and studies relating to the cause,
diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of the physical and
mental diseases and impairments of man. Under this authority the
Surgeon General has established various programs providing grants
and awards in support of research and training to universities,
hospitals, laboratories and other public or private institutions,
as well as to individuals.

The Councils are consulted by and make recommendations to the
Surgeon General concerning the pertinent programs of the Public
Health Service. A major responsibility is the review and recom-
mendation of grants to support nongovernmental research, In this
connection, the Councils have the benefit of the technical advice
of groups of consultants. Another continuing and very important
responsibility is the survey of the total research in the subject
field and the recommendation of action necessary to stimulate
additional work in gap areas,

Members of the Councils are selected from the leaders in the fields
of fundamental sciences, medical sciences, education, and public
affairs, Our past experience has demonstrated that the interchange
of ideas between lay and professional members has contributed
immeasurably both to the promotion of research activities and to
the public understanding and utilization of the many programs of
the Public Health Service.

Meetings of the Council are usually held three times a year for
two or three days in Bethesda, Maryland, and compensation is
allowable at the rate of $50 per day for time spent at meetings.
In addition, reimbursement is made for actual and necessary
transportation costs and subsistence expenses incurred in
connection with attendance at meetings.

The President on May 8, 1965, issued an Executive Order
prescribing standards of ethical conduct for officers and
employees of the Government, A copy of the Regulations which
relate specifically to advisors and consultants is enclosed, The
conflict of interest law makes special provision for "special
Government employees," those individuals whose total Government
service does not exceed 130 days. Enclosed also is a form for
your use in providing the required information about your private
employment and financial interests for the fiscal year July 1,
1967, through June 30, 1968, One copy of the form should be
completed and returned in the enclosed envelope and the other
copy retained for your records, This form must be completed
annually; if changes occur in your employment or financial
interests during the year, an amendment to this statement should
be submitted,

Although I realize that there are many pressing demands upon your
time, I hope that you will find it possible to accept this
invitation and give the Public Health Service the benefit of your
valued counsel, Upon learning of your acceptance, I shall ask
Dr. Stanley F. Yolles, Director, National Institute of Mental
Health, to supply the information you may like to have and which
might be helpful in this important position,

With all good wishes.

Sincerely yours,

Aoting Surgeon General

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

Professor of Genetics & Biology
Department of Genetics

School of Medicine

Stanford University

Palo Alto, California 94304

Enclosures