Now, Secretary Sullivan is staring down the barrels of two bills in Congress, and he would like to act before he is forced to.
When Secretary Sullivan spoke of a group "already bearing more than its share of smoking-related illness and mortality," he was speaking a tragic truth.
The advisory panel said that Secretary Sullivan should reinstate the Commissioner's power to issue rules.
He complained that Secretary Sullivan had not appeared.
Robert Schmermund, a spokesman for Secretary Sullivan, said, "We are against the bill.
I am taking the matter up with Secretary Sullivan.
Secretary Sullivan said the infant mortality rate was higher in the United States than in 23 other industrialized countries.
Secretary Sullivan sought $185 million to inspect nursing homes, hospitals and home health agencies.
He added, "I want you to know that George Bush is concerned about this," and so is Secretary Sullivan.
That is one example of how Dr. Sullivan has become Secretary Sullivan.