The Surgeon General must advocate for effective disease prevention and health promotion programs and must serve as a powerful symbol of our national commitment to protecting and improving the Nations health. Dr. Satchers legacy at CDC demonstrates his fitness to fulfill these responsibilities. The position of Assistant Secretary for Health is a position of equal importance. The Assistant Secretary serves as the Secretarys senior advisor for public health and science. In this capacity. Dr. Satcher will be required to provide Departmentwide leadership in the application of sound medical and scientific principles to public health. In addition the Assistant Secretary for Health has direct responsibility for several key public health initiatives. These include: Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Emergency Preparedness. HIV/A1DS Policy. International & Refugee Health. Minority Health. Research Integrity.