Margaret Heckler
Margaret Heckler at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Luncheon
U.S. House Representative Margaret Heckler (R-MA) standing on stairs at the Shoreham Hotel and conversing with adult Caucasian man. Camera follows Heckler as she moves through large room, shaking hands with a group of adult Caucasian women, telling them she appreciates whenever there's a good showing of women at events like these. Rep. Heckler continues to walk in-between tables, before shaking hands with adult Caucasian man and stopping to talk with him.
Margaret Heckler Debating Barney Frank
VS of adult Caucasian men and women at political debate between Margaret Heckler (R-MA) and Barney Frank (D-MA). Panel includes both adult Caucasian male and female moderators. U.S. House Representative Margaret Heckler states "I would say that even Newton, when it was in distress and needed support for the funding for the Weeks project --- the conversion of a Weeks school into housing, mixed housing, a very fine project --- I don't know whether they turned to my opponent or not, but I know that when their man contacted me about the project he said that it would be a miracle if you could pull this out and secure the funding. And I did. And I secured funding for projects in my district under every administration. And I've served under five Presidents. And under President Carter, secured much of the funding for UDAG grants, which have helped Full River and other cities. And, most recently, secured other funding for important projects, housing for the elderly as well as many other important projects. So, that these are things that I have done for you lately, but I also think the continuation of what I have done in the past. The Small Business Advocacy Act which totally revolutionized the role of the Small Business Administration in Washington, creating an obvious voice for small business to interface with all forums considering government issues whether in Washington or ..." (abruptly ends)
Margaret Heckler
Margaret Heckler seated at press conference begins "Well, this is certainly a great deal more encouraging than my last press appearance before the major Boston media; the night of, I think, November 2nd. I really have no substantive comment today. This has been an exciting day in my life; a day of great challenge and change, a day of great opportunity. I met with the President this morning. I was asked to go to the White House at 8:30 this morning. I was asked to be there at nine and was ushered into the Oval Office, whereupon the President asked me to accept his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. It's a great experience. It's a marvelous opportunity, a most unexpected one. I am honored and wish to serve, hopefully with integrity, commitment and distinction."
Margaret Heckler at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Luncheon
U.S. House Representative Margaret Heckler (R-MA) shaking hands with middle-aged adult Caucasian men at table, speaks with adult Caucasian woman. Another adult Caucasian man greets Rep. Heckler, leads her away. Group of middle-aged adult Caucasian men and women seated a circular table. Rep. Heckler seated next to Mr. Wells at main table, speaks to adult Caucasian man and woman. Margaret Heckler eating soup, Bill Wells gets up and leaves the table.
Margaret Heckler
Voice of adult female reporter (off camera) asks Margaret Heckler the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services "Mrs. Heckler, during the Congressional campaign against Barney Frank, you sold yourself as an independent candidate; someone that was independent from the White House, that you were never afraid to say no to the President and to tell him that you disagreed with him. As a result, you voted against many of his bills, you said, during the campaign. Would you say that's changed now?" Mrs. Heckler responds "I'd just simply like to say this; I think this is not the time to expand on what happened before or what will happen in the future. I think this is a juncture in my life in which, when I look back on 16 years of Congressional service, I do so with a great sense of pride and a great sense of gratitude, to God and to the people of Massachusetts, for the privilege of serving in the Congress. That, until this point, was the highlight of my life, in a professional sense. I think my family has been the real highlight of my life." Adult male reporter off-screen tries to ask question, but is cut off by Mrs. Heckler .... "But the fact is, at this point, I want to say that I look forward to the opportunity to serve in a very different role, and I respect the President tremendously. I will be his Secretary of Health and Human Services. I would not like to discuss the substantive issues which will come before my desk in that post. I also feel that substantive issues will be explored in the important Senate confirmation sessions; which, as a courtesy to my colleagues in the Senate, will be reserved for them and that point we will discuss the policy questions. I will say that I was very gratified to receive the first call from Senator Kennedy today, who said he was applauding the President's selection, and offered to present me to the Senate Confirmation Committee. And I accepted with a sense of gratitude. I thought it was a very kind offer on his part. As for me, I think this is just a personal moment of enormous elation and excitement. I don't minimize the difficulties. I did not seek this post. However, I think it is a challenge to public service that builds on what I've done before, and extends its dimensions. And it's one of those unexpected opportunities in life that I think I could not, in any sense, reject. I accept it with gratitude to the President, and for his confidence in me. And gratitude to the Lord for making it possible. Thank you very much, really."
Margaret Heckler Debating Barney Frank
Adult Caucasian male moderator tells U.S. House Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) that he has one minute. Frank responds "Congresswoman Heckler is exemplifying here in her votes the David Stockman philosophy; David Stockman said in the Atlantic Monthly that he had a great time in Congress voting against all the programs and then running around his district taking credit for distributing them. Congresswoman Heckler did have the Reagan administration in gratitude to her for her votes for them last year; let her be the vehicle for announcing some Section 8 units. She voted, of course, with the Reagan administration last year virtually to gut the program and as nice as it is to get some of the few remaining units, when a member of Congress votes to kill the program, then that's very bad news for people in the future. I would disagree that Congresswoman Heckler's record these past two years has been moderate. It's not moderate to be for a 20% military spending increase. It's not moderate to sit by in silence when James Watt and Anne Gorsuch wreck the environment, and destroy our resources. It's not moderate to vote for cuts in the minimum benefit and abolish the death benefit for social security recipients. And it's not moderate to vote for tax cuts for the oil industry when working people and middle income people continue to suffer." Bell rings in the BG and Frank sits down to applause. Adult Caucasian men and women of all ages among crowd watching and listening to debate. U.S. House Representative Margaret Heckler (R-MA) looks down at her notes. Adult Caucasian male moderator states "We have just completed one cycle of questions. We'll begin the next cycle with Kevin from the Newton Graphic who will ask a question to Representative Frank." Adult Caucasian man off camera begins "Representative Frank ..." (abruptly ends)
Margaret Heckler
Adult female reporter (off camera) asks Margaret Heckler, the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services "On your desk in Congress, you had a sign that said 'whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good.' Do you think your sex made any difference in the gender gap in the Republican party and all this?" Mrs. Heckler responds "I think that the dimensions of the challenge at this department, which is the second largest in the United States government, and has a budget that's larger than that of most foreign governments --- the dimensions are so great, the seriousness of its mission so important, that I would think that I was selected on competence; on merit. And I would think that as a woman, I will bring the special sensitivity that women do have in politics, which I think was an asset that I had in the Congress. But I think that I was chosen on the basis of competence, and the gravity of the situation, and the needs of our government today would warrant only a selection on that basis." Adult male reporter asks "Do you anticipate any problems with the confirmation process?" Camera recording the press conference is re-adjusted showing mixed crowd of press at event. Mrs. Heckler answers "I believe that my colleagues know me well. There are certainly always differences of opinion on subjects. As a creature of the Congress and a member of Congress, I think many of members of that committee have already worked with me on various issues and are familiar with my background. I think this augurs well for a good opportunity to be confirmed. Nonetheless, there are many news members of Congress, new members of the Senate, and I think the issue will be before them. But I expect Senator Kennedy's preface and introduction, and the relationships I've had in the past will certainly serve me well in terms of the confirmation process." Camera focuses on adult Caucasian female reporter; she notices and silently gestures the camera to focus back on Mrs. Heckler. Voice of adult male reporter (off-screen) asks "Do you anticipate any problem from the 1976 voucher issue in which there was a problem?" Mrs. Heckler responds "I've never had a problem with it before, so..." The reporter asks follow-up "Do you think the confirmation committee will take a look at that issue?" Mrs. Heckler quickly responds "I doubt it, but I think it's been clarified many times. I feel there's no issue in my background that poses a problem other than policy differences. I mean there are differences in voting patterns or maybe something of that sort, but I think in this case I'm very proud of my record of public service, having been returned to office on eight different occasions for the Congress and twice before for the Governors Council in highly Democratic districts. I think I have stood before the jury of the people and received strong acclimation and I think that the President has shown a vote of confidence in me, and I in him and I look forward to the opportunity to serve in this, probably the greatest challenge of my life." Adult Caucasian female reporter begins asking a question before Mrs. Heckler cuts her off and thanks everyone, ending the press conference.
Margaret Heckler Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Luncheon
Bill Dell introduces the main speaker at the luncheon, U.S. House Representative Margaret Heckler (R-MA). Rep. Heckler gets up and delivers her remarks "Thank you very much, Bill, for an incredibly kind introduction. Undeserved, I have to say. It's a pleasure to be with you, and it's with great regret that I come before you before you've had the pleasure of your luncheon. However, with the type of legislative calendar and agenda that we've had in the last several weeks, about which all of you are familiar, you will understand that we have to deal with the opportunities of the moment. So please proceed with your luncheon as you can, and I want to say that really we do share a common interest in the subjects before your colloquium. I am not only familiar, but very impressed with your membership, and your amassed capacity, intellectually, the mega-tonnage of brain power that you represent for the country. I had some hesitation, however, in joining you today. One thing I have learned in my sixteen years in Congress, is that some years are better for each of us than others and I suspect this is not one of your better years. I believe that I am safe here, however, because I did read in the preface to the AAAS R&D report that it should be emphasized that neither this report nor the AAAS colloquium is undertaken in advocacy of R&D programs or budgets, or particular view on controversial issues. That's very reassuring. I somehow doubt that you have come here in order to avoid controversy or with neutral attitudes about the R&D budget, and I think that's exactly he way it should be. Most of you have been part of this country's scientific enterprise for many years. You've worked together to develop a nationwide research and development endeavor, respected around the world. And all that work, and finally you see, Washington comes along and changes the whole business."
Margaret Heckler Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Luncheon
U.S. House Representative Margaret Heckler (R-MA) continuing her remarks "The process reminds me of the story of the man who was walking into a crowded restaurant, and decided to hang his special umbrella on a coat rack. To ensure its safety, he attached the following note: I am the world's greatest wrestler and I am returning. Well, after finishing his meal, the gentleman returned to the coat rack and, finding no umbrella, read the following message attached to the rack: I am the world's greatest runner and I will not return. I know that some of you feel that Washington has run off with your budget. However, Washington is not the greatest runner, nor is the Congress and I would say that it shall be returned soon. A little worse for wear, but hopefully able to withstand the elements. Looking at the FY 1982-83 budget, I would say that some sectors of the research..." (abruptly ends)
Margaret Heckler Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Luncheon
VS of U.S. House Representative Margaret Heckler (R-MA) speaking to an audience of middle-aged adult men and women seated at luncheon, listening; background noise of plates and glasses clanking prevent a clear audio of the remarks being given.