Contest of Cruelty? Florida/Texas anti-stem cell wars
by diverdonreed
Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 04:15:10 AM PDT
CONTEST FOR CRUELTY?
Florida and Texas opponents of stem cell research seem to be having a
contest to see which one can play the dirtiest politics.
A supposedly pro-stem cell research bill- which would permanently block
state funding of embryonic stem cell research?
A Parkinson's sufferer made to wait until 2:00 in the morning before being
allowed to testify in Texas?
That's just the tip of the iceberg.
The opponents of research know they are on the way out-- and want to lock in
as much anti-research legislation as they can before being voted out of
office in 2008.
They must be stopped.
Read on, please.
diverdonreed's diary :: ::

Florida, first-and remember as you read this, Florida could be one of the
key stem cell research centers in the world, with fabulous centers like the
Miami Project, Burnham Institute,the University of Florida, Torrey Pines,
the Scripps Institute ... but none of these outstanding centers of research
excellence will ever be eligible for one thin dime of state funding for
embryonic stem cell research-- if the opponents get their way.

Your help needed in Florida!

This Action Alert is from one of our partner patient advocate organizations,
Floridians for Hope, which based in Florida. Below you will find an
explanation and action items to help respond to a critical battle to protect
embryonic stem cell research that is taking place in Florida.
Thank you so much for your continued commitment to fight on behalf of this
critical research on all fronts. Please help with Florida's effort if you
can.
If you have any questions feel free to contact our Public Policy Director,
David Bluestone, at [log in to unmask]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLORIDIANS FOR HOPE, INC.
"Defending Our Hope for Cures"
ACTION ALERT
April 16, 2007
Florida State Legislature on Fast Track to Banning Funds for Embryonic Stem
Cell Research
Tallahassee, Florida--Utilizing a combination of secret meetings and sneaky
legislative tactics, the extremist faction of the Florida legislature is on
the verge of successfully banning the use of public funds for embryonic stem
cell research.

Despite overwhelming support for state investment in embryonic stem cell
research, HB 1065, which specifically prohibits state funds from use in
embryonic stem cell research, is headed for the House floor where passage is
likely.
With such renowned research institutes as the Scripps, Burnham and Torrey
Pines committed to locating facilities in the state for the development of
cures; prohibiting these funds and tying the hands of researchers will be a
major blow for patients' rights advocates and those who hold hope for cures
nationwide.
The tactics to which the anti-cures forces have sunk to employ seem to know
no bounds. Last month, House Republicans were criticized after it was
revealed that a secret caucus meeting was held to school 72 House
Republicans on how to deliver anti-cures talking points. This meeting ran up
against Florida's famous Sunshine Laws, that require public notification
anytime representatives gather to discuss pending legislation.
And yet depite this criticism, the tricks didn't stop. Just last week,
lobbyists from the anti-cures group Citizens for Science and Ethics,
secretly included anti-cure talking points in with HB 1065 before a
committee hearing on the bill. This after the hearing was called at the last
minute in order to prevent Pro-Cure groups from organizing experts and
patients' rights advocates to address the committee.
Anti-cures advocates understand that the public wants Florida to invest in
the most promising research possible. This is why the anti-cures forces have
bumped against the law and are doing everything possible to make sure that a
fair and honest debate is avoided at all costs.
The good news is that there is still time to stop this legislation from
passing the Florida Senate and being approved by Governor Charlie Crist.
Please help us by contacting the office of Florida Senate President Ken
Pruitt and urge him to reject the Senate version of this bill (SB 2496) and
to keep the promise he made last year to make the funding of embryonic stem
cell research a "top priority" by supporting SB 750 that funds embryonic
stem cell research. He can be reached at 850-487-5088.
And contact the office of Governor Crist and urge him to keep his promise to
support state investment in embryonic stem cell research. That number is
850-488-7146.
Banning funds and holding back research in Florida through secret meetings
and clever deception will signify a major victory for Anti-Cures groups
throughout the country. This will embolden these groups to use these same
tactics in other states. Please help us stop them in their tracks today!
AND IF THAT ISN'T ENOUGH-
April 13, 2007
Honorable Speaker Tom Craddick
Texas House of Representatives
P O Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910
Dear Speaker Craddick,
I write on behalf of myself, a pro stem cell advocate, and several Texas
constituents who attended the State of Affairs committee meeting on April
12, 2007. I believe you and all house members would want to know how the
spirit of decency and democracy were violated, in particular, by committee
chairman, Representative David Swinford.

On the morning of April 12, expert witnesses and advocates from all over the
state arrived at the Capitol to give testimony before the State Affairs
committee. The committee's only agenda was to discuss bills regarding stem
cell research. It was, in fact, Representative Swinford who requested expert
witnesses, because the hearing was to be educational in its tenor.  When the
committee re-convened at 10:30 p.m. HB 3678, a bill pending in committee was
introduced. By this time all the expert witnesses, most of whom had traveled
from other cities to present testimony and who had waited all day and into
the night to testify, and many advocates who were there to support bills
that were pro stem cell research were forced to wait another 3 hours. Many
of them were gone when the stem cell bills were finally heard beginning
around 1:30 AM. People at the hearing were told that HB 3678 (a right to
religious expression in school bill) would take precedence and would be the
first order of discussion. Witnesses who gave testimony on this bill were
told to take as much time as they needed. Children ten years of age and
younger gave testimony and recanted stories of their kindergarten
experiences. The atmosphere in the hearing room took on a circus-like tone.
One witness was allowed to testify for 45 minutes.

The committee did not discuss the stem cell research bills until 1:30 a.m.
Friday morning. Representative Swinford was told by Representative Byron
Cook that advocates in the audience had health conditions and should be
given consideration to speak first. Representative Swinford ignored
Representative's Cook plea. A woman who drove from Houston and who is
afflicted with Parkinson's was kept waiting in her seat until 2:00 am.
Friday morning. When she rose to testify her trek to the podium was a
difficult maneuver, and she could not have made it without the assistance of
her husband.  I consider Representative Swinford's decision to delay her
testimony an act of human cruelty and not worthy of an elected official's
conduct.  Because of his handling of the schedule and his refusal to create
a fair process by limiting all testimony to a standard length of time, there
were not expert witnesses available when committee members began asking
scientific questions. This was in spite of the fact that the clerk of the
committee had been informed of all the expert witnesses' time constraints.
His disingenuous and transparent attempt to discourage and silence pro stem
cell supporters was shameful.  The hearing adjourned at 5:30 a.m.

I am new to the political advocacy process and will not be deterred from
speaking and making my voice heard. However, after the State Affairs
hearing, I truly believe a marginally committed person might have been
easily manipulated into thinking that our government process is a vehicle
for those in power to do as they please, without any ramifications or
accountability for their actions. I believe in our system and in our elected
officials to do what is just and in the best interest of the state of Texas.
My 17 year old son testified Friday morning at 1:30 a.m. It was his first
"hands on" introduction to the political process, and even he could see the
blatant abuse that occurred. The hearing was not an example of democracy at
its finest.

In your position as elected Speaker of the Texas House your influence on
process as well as policy is wide ranging. I hope that you will take this
information and use it to remind those holding chairmanships in the Texas
House that this is America where all citizens have the right and the duty to
participate in the political process. Thank you for your consideration of
this matter.
Sincerely,
Laura Templeton, Judith Haley, Nina Brown
(note: Ms. Templeton is a patient advocate and supporter of stem cell
research, Ms. Haley is an officer for Texans for the Advancement of Medical
Research (TAMR), and Nina Brown represents the Texas Parkinson's Action
Network.-DR)

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