 the President of the United States, Secretary Schweiker, and Mrs. Heckler. Thank you. I know you're clapping for both of my companions up here, but I'll say thanks for them. It's with deep regret that I have today accepted the resignation of a trusted advisor and able administrator and a man who's done an outstanding job as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Dick Schweiker and I first became acquainted in 1976 when he joined me as a potential running mate during the battle for the Republican nomination. Since then we've maintained a strong relationship, a personal friendship that I greatly value and expect to continue. During these last two years as head of the biggest and most costly department of the federal government, Dick Schweiker has proven himself to be a job that has ground down lesser individuals. Many of our efforts to control the spiraling cost of government depended on his enterprise. I can say without hesitation that we are proud of the job that he has done. Dick Schweiker has given his country many years of outstanding public service, first in the House of Representatives, then in the Senate in the last two years as a member of the Cabinet. He's made his contribution and now is moving on. I understand he's been offered a fine opportunity in the private sector and I wish him the best of luck. And now I'm happy to announce an outstanding replacement, former Congresswoman Margaret Heckler. My choice is the new Secretary of Health and Human Services. Congresswoman Heckler brings to the job extensive experience in the workings of government. She served eight terms in the House of Representatives. She has proven herself a practical and compassionate public servant. And I'm confident she will prove an invaluable member of our team and I'm looking forward to working with her in the days and months ahead. Later this morning I will announce my choice for the vacant position of Under Secretary of HHS. But now it's the heartfelt thank you and goodbye to Dick Schweiker, but not really goodbye because I know he'll be on tap any time I want to sound him out for counsel and advice and a warm welcome to Margaret Heckler, who will be the new Secretary of Health and Human Services. Mr. President, I want to thank you for the tremendous opportunity and privilege of serving your administration of my 22 years in the Congress, Senate, House, and the Cabinet. The most exciting, most rewarding period of service was working with you as President. I'm really proud of the opportunity that you gave me. I'm also proud of the accomplishments that you as President have made and of the success that you're having over many difficult obstacles. I'm proud to have been part of that team to see the team continuing in such a fine choice as Mrs. Heckler and proud to be successful. And what I believe is a very important new beginning for this country. And finally, Mr. President, I'd like to say that now that I'm in a private sector, I'm a private sector volunteer, and when you decide to run for reelection, I want to be out there helping you or any other private sector assignments you give me. Thank you very much. Mr. President, it's quite obvious from the warmth of the response to Dick Schweiker's statement that all Americans, those here and those who will be witness to the event, are also in the line of those will be applauding the great work that he has done in your behalf and in leading this important agency. I think that all Americans are grateful to Dick Schweiker for his performance. And I want to say that it is following that set example of leadership and I think of commitment that I am especially honored to be chosen as his successor. I consider it a great honor to have your confidence expressed in me. I know that my 16 years of service on Capitol Hill will be of value, but I feel frankly that you have offered me the greatest challenge of my life. But for the honor and but for one other fact, I would never have undertaken to accept what is the greatest challenge of my life. And that is the honor of serving the finest present that I have known. And indeed it is with the sense of faith in your vision and your goals for America, faith in President Reagan, that I accept what I think is the hardest assignment in Washington. I am honored. I am very proud. I'm grateful. And I hope to live up to your expectations.