TEXAS: Groups Call for Health Commissioner’s Resignation
Civil rights organizations are calling for the resignation of Texas Health Commissioner William "Reyn" Archer, for his recent remarks to the New York Times concerning Hispanics and teen pregnancy, the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reports. Archer had suggested in the Times that "Hispanics do not view teen pregnancy negatively," and that if he urged Hispanics to consider family planning, "They'd say, 'No, I want to be pregnant.'" The League of United Latin American Citizens, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the National Council of Jewish Woman, the Rainbow Coalition, the American Association of University Women and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement have joined to ask for Archer's resignation. Samantha Smoot, executive director of the Texas Freedom Network, said that Archer's "prejudiced and bizarre ideas make him unfit to serve as Texas' top health officer." Archer has since made several apologies for his statements and according to a state health department spokesperson, has no plans to resign. Mike Jones, a spokesperson for Gov. George W. Bush (R), said that Bush does not plan to request Archer's resignation. Jones added, "Governor Bush is glad that Dr. Archer has explained his awkward language and Governor Bush accepts his apology" (Dyer, 4/26).
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