In Support of Albert Lee Smith
C. Everett Koop. M.D.
Montgomery, Ala
Birmingham, Ala
September 27, 1984
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You might wonder why I have come
Annual leave
Govt has not paid
Ethically proper that I do this
Presidential appt
Therefore free to speak politically
Since Aug 24
Been in Wash 9D[?]
Travelling domestically
Travelling in Pacific Basin
Travelling China
No political talk in that time
Therefore you know how sincere I am
Speaking on behalf of Albert Lee Smith
You know little about me so a word of explanation
I come from a background
40 yrs in surgery
In academia
Yet practicing in the market place
Part of organized medicine
Not because I agreed with[?] it
But because reform comes from within
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Deep concern about the trend in biomedical ethics
So in addition to 175 articles books chapters
In surgery[?] of children
I have written some in ethics
Including 2 book [sic]
I believe in absolutes
There are some things right wrong
Coming to Washington after that equipped me in special way
To assess the kinds of people that make govt work
I am a good investment for the tax payer
Old enough
Credibility
Feather nest
Therefore I can (and do) say what I believe
If I cannot do that then I will go readily
It is in that spirit that I am here
2.
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As a Presidential Appt -- I can say America is Blessed with[?] R.R.
R.R. is a man of integrity compassion
Uncanny sensitivity to domestic issues
Understanding of realities of foriegn [sic]
If you wonder why he has not done so and so or why he has done so and so
You have to be in Wash a while to difficult it is -- and increasingly so as time goes along in an administration -- for him to accomplish what he knows is right
R.R. needs people in Congress especially in Senate
To make this Govt be what it should
For the country --
But more importantly for the individual states
That is why I have come to support Albert Lee Smith in his bid to replace the incumbent in the Senate representing the great state of Alabama
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This administration needs and seeks the support of a man like A-L-S
He is very comfortable with[?] platform
His opponent voted against the position of RR 52% -- '83
ALS is kind of person I believe conservative Alabama voters want -- and should want as Senator
His opponent really votes with liberal expediency
I have reviewed ALS's record in Congress.
He voted:
For jobs
Against crime
For traditional family values
For less govt regulation
For aids for senior citizens
For housing
For lower taxes
Against waste
For education
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Specifically while a member of House
Supported keeping Christian schools tax exempt 7/81
Supported the prohibition of tax dollars for abortion 7/81
Voted against legislation promoting homosexuality 6/81
Supported voluntary school prayer -- with Pres 9/81
Opposed busing of school children 6/81
Supported a balanced budget 7/81
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That record failed to give ALS passing grades with certain groups -- I am glad to say and so should you be
As a matter of fact ALS has the enviable record for scoring zero
With the A.CLU
With -- Americans for Democratic Action
With -- the Nat'l Education Assoc.
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Let me conclude with some reflections on politics and religion which has claimed so much of the press in recent weeks
It is impossible to separate the religious conviction of an individual from his political beliefs
He may have to separate his religious beliefs from his political action
Because there are times when the law of God and the law of the land are not synonymous
And a public servant -- who has taken an oath -- must support -- temporarily -- the law of man
That does not mean -- at all -- that he cannot strive -- legally and thru the political system -- to convince his colleagues who make the laws -- of the rightness of his position
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A.L.S. is not the kind of man who says "Personally I am opposed to so and so -- but I can't let my personal beliefs intrude into my public life"
Why not?
When a man has a belief he holds because of religious persuasion, he is a man I trust -- I may not agree -- but I tend to trust him because he recognizes a higher authority to whom he is answerable
For example -- in my own life -- when I argue for a given cause I can do so
Ethically
Morally
From the standpoint of justice
From the standpoint of civil rights
From the standpoint of human rights
Or I can argue from the standpoint of my Christian faith
The point is -- I cannot argue purely ethics -- morals -- justice
Civil or human rights
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Because each of those stands is inextricably bound to my religious training and my Christian beliefs
Or to say it another way my religious belief is what gives substance my morals, my ethics and so on.
Albert Lee Smith is not ashamed to say these things -- and that should give you comfort and confidence that his representation of you will be neither capricious or [sic] expedient
I have been concerned enough about the creeping advance of secular humanism in this country to have written 2 book [sic] and produced 5 films on the subject.
Further, I travelled widely across this country with[?] the late F.S. to speak to these issues.
A.L.S. stands squarely with me in this matter
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Some people follow the call to righteousness -- others dont [sic] seem to know what it means
ALS whether working as a Congressman representing his district in Alabama, as a businessman, as a family man, or as a church leader has stood for righteousness.
And is so doing -- he is willing to stand up and be counted
I wish I could vote with you in your state
I'd vote for Albert Lee Smith
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