 |
 |
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) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn