Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 810. I want to acknowledge the bipartisan effort that has gone into this legislation and the incredible grassroots movement that has built support for this groundbreaking medical research. It has been inspirational to see so many people putting aside politics and partisanship to address this issue, which affects the lives of millions of Americans.

I am one of those millions. At 16, I was an Explorer Scout in my hometown police station. One afternoon, in the police locker room, a gun accidentally discharged. The bullet severed my spinal cord, and I have been paralyzed ever since.

This experience shapes my perspective in many ways. Above all, it has given me tremendous appreciation and respect for life. My life as a quadriplegic is filled with challenges and obstacles, yet I am grateful for every minute. This gratitude has become a passion - and it has motivated me to help create a culture that values and protects life from its beginning to its end.

To me, being pro-life also means fighting for policies that will eliminate pain and suffering and help people enjoy longer, healthier lives. And to me, support for embryonic stem cell research is entirely consistent with that position. What could be more life-affirming than using what otherwise would be discarded to save, extend and improve countless lives?

This research offers the opportunity to discover cures and treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, diabetes, spinal cord injury, and many others. But it will take not only the talent of our scientists, but also the support of our government to realize its potential. We have a responsibility to ensure that this research proceeds, and that it does so with ethical safeguards and strict guidelines. By permitting research only on excess embryos created in the in-vitro fertilization process, and by establishing a clear, voluntary consent process for donors, H.R. 810 meets this responsibility.

Stem cell research gives us hope, and a reason to believe. I believe one day, a child with diabetes will no longer face a lifetime of painful shots and tests. I believe one day, families will no longer watch in agony as a loved one with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s gradually declines. I believe one day, I will walk again.

There are a few moments in medical history when we can clearly identify a giant step forward in improving countless lives. We saw it with the discovery of antibiotics, and with the advent of organ transplants.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that adult and embryonic stem cell research is another of these great moments. Today we have a historic opportunity to make a difference for millions of Americans, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 810.