Diary Prequel Package — page 124

Senator Arlen Specter Senator Patrick Leahy September 1, 2005 classroom setting." CDC director Dr. James Mason described the risk of getting AIDS fror another child in schools as akin to the risk of "being struck by lightning when you walk out: front door in the morning" and "much less than the chance of the boiler that heats the build blowing up."* He stated that AIDS was causing an "epidemic of fear" that was "entirely unnecessary." Inside the White House In the midst of a battle to counter ignorance and panic with science and reason, Presi Reagan held a press conference on September 17, 1985. It was a critical moment. Even tho more than four years had passed since the first cases had been reported, it would be the first that the President had discussed AIDS in public. In preparing for this appearance, the White House staff debated what the President should say about the transmission of AIDS. Draft briefing materials provided to the White House counsel's office advised that tl President clearly explain the views of leading scientific experts. He was to say, "as far as ov best scientists have been able to determine, AIDS virus is not transmitted through casual or routine contact."" Yet in a memo dated September 13, 1985, John G. Roberts, who was then Associate Counsel to the President, advised a completely different approach. In an internal memo, Mr Roberts recommended deleting any reference to the best scientific evidence. He gave severz reasons. First, Mr. Roberts argued that the President should not provide information to the pul on a technical point. He wrote that the President "thas no way of knowing the underlying val of the scientific 'conclusion,' which has been attacked by numerous commentators.'"* No citations were provided. Second, he expressed concern that relating the views of the country's top scientists c embarrass the president if the state of scientific evidence changed. * 4s schools opened across the nation this month, the spectre of young AIDS' victims attending classes with healthy children has created an epidemic of fear..., United Press International (Sept. 15, 1985). > U.S. Counters Public Fears of AIDS, New York Times (Sept. 15, 1985). ° Id. 7 John G. Roberts, Deborah K. Owen, Memorandum for Fred F. Fielding, Domestic ee, ements eet.Bn et ae gee et ee