ONE PHONE CALL FOR TEXAS STEM CELL RESEARCH RIGHTS!
March 31, 2009 by diverdonreed
ONE PHONE CALL-TO SAVE TEXAS STEM CELL RESEARCH RIGHTS!
by Don C. Reed

Dear Friends:

Anti-research forces in Texas are trying to pull a fast one, to kill all 
hopes for embryonic stem cell research in the state, permanently. They are 
doing it two ways.

First, Senator Steve Ogden (R-Bryan) "quietly" inserted a 24-word provision 
banning state funds for any form of embryonic stem cell research- into the 
Texas budget (SB 1). If the budget passes (which it must) as is, the 
research is effectively banned.

According to the Dallas Morning News, "The Senate finance committee, which 
Ogden heads, took only two minutes to consider his rider. It says, "No funds 
appropriated under this act shall be used in conjunction with or to support 
research which involves the destruction of a human embryo."-R. T. Garrett, 
Dallas Morning News, March 30, 2009.

Senator Ogden did not allow research scientists or patient advocates to 
speak.

Afterwards, Ogden was asked if that provision would kill embryonic stem cell 
research in Texas. He reportedly responded, "If that one doesn't, my next 
one will."

Second, Senator Ogden's bill, SB 1695, would ".end all embryonic stem cell 
research.in any of the laboratories of our state. Even private institutions 
like Baylor College of Medicine would be affected because they receive state 
funding."-Texas research advocate Dr. Ralph Dittman, cited in Huffington 
Report.

Folks, the debate on the Texas budget begins Wednesday, which is TOMORROW.

Any chance you could make one phone call, to try and preserve Texas stem 
cell research? (Which, by the way, is very much worth fighting for; I will 
tell you later about some of the outstanding scientists in the Lone Star 
state.)

It doesn't matter where you live. Texas voters have the most importance of 
course, but right now, the main thing is to make some noise. This is attack 
legislation- in a state which has the possibility of genuinely vast amounts 
of research, as much as three billion dollars for cancer alone.

We dare not lose the enormous contributions of this vital state.

As always, Texans for the Advancement of Medical Research, TAMR, is leading 
the charge against this insidious infringement on research rights.

Friend Judy Haley, immediate past President of TAMR, says:
"This is the worst situation we have ever had. an emerging disaster. They 
(the rider to the budget, SB 1, and the bill, SB 1695-dr) would ban ALL hESC 
in Texas in any research facility that receives any state 
funding-(including) all our public and private labs. This would be a 
disaster, not only in Texas, but as a model for how to do it (damaging 
legislation) for the rest of the nation."

Joe Brown, current President of TAMR suggests a message:
First, if you live in Texas:
Click on this link http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/ and enter your home 
address under "who represents me" to find your senator and their phone 
number.

CALL OR FAX YOUR STATE SENATOR WITH THE MESSAGE:
"Stem cell research is important to me, to my family, and to millions of 
Texans; it is unacceptable for the Texas Legislature to pass any bill or 
rider which restricts embryonic stem cell research done under National 
Academy of Science ethical guidelines. I want Senator _____________ to 
actively work to make sure that neither SB 1's prohibitive rider nor SB 1965 
do not become part of Texas law."

Don't live in Texas?
Call anyway.
Three calls you could make:
1. David Dewhurst, President of the Senate and Lt. Governor: (512) 463-0001
2. Jim Pitts, Chairman of House Appropriations Committee: (512) 463-0516
3. Joe Straus, Speaker of the House: (512) 463-0516

Nothing fancy is required. Just tell whoever answers that you oppose the 
anti-embryonic stem cell research rider on the Texas budget this year, and 
also you oppose SB 1695.

You might even tell them why, maybe mentioning a condition which affects you 
or a loved one.

The opposition calls itself "right to life" people. But the way I see it, my 
sister Barbara has both cancer and leukemia, and she has a right to life as 
well.

Please make that phone call; it will take you five minutes, and it could 
make the difference.
To help heal our loved ones-stand tall for Texas today!

Rayilyn Brown
Director AZNPF
Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
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