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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, urged his House colleagues to support H.R. 3, "The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007" during debate on the legislation on the House floor. The New Jersey congressman gave the following statement.
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3 - the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Each day that we wait to lift the ban President Bush has placed on advancing embryonic stem cell research is another day that we waste in discovering new cures for the chronic diseases and medical conditions that so many of our friends and families suffer from.
"Instead of embracing the potential embryonic stem cell research holds in developing new life-saving and life-enhancing therapies the President has chosen to cater to the fringe of his party and has continually blocked this important legislation from becoming law.
"This misguided policy has significantly impeded scientific progress over the years and needlessly placed American lives at risk. As a result, states like my home state of New Jersey are moving forward with their own initiatives to advance embryonic stem cell research. But they shouldn't have to go it alone. We need to leverage federal, state, and private dollars in order to unlock the potential of embryonic stems cells in the quickest fashion possible and bring new life saving therapies to the patients who need them.
"An overwhelming majority of Americans support embryonic stem cell research and their representatives in Congress should as well. The time has come to put an end to these absurd restrictions. Let's vote for hope for millions of Americans who are suffering from debilitating diseases. Let's give them hope today by overwhelmingly supporting HR 3." |
