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Pro-lifers scored a major victory in the Texas Legislature during the recent special session ending May 15 by preventing state tax dollars from being used for research that involves the destruction of human embryos -- embryonic stem cell research and cloning. H.B. 153 was a massive bill that creates more than 60 new buildings on public universities. The initial version authorized and funded a $41,000,000 biomedical research facility at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, where research on human embryonic stem cells and cloning was planned. During House floor debate on H.B. 153 on May 11, 2006, the embryonic stem cell issue became very apparent. For example when Rep. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) introduced a pro-life amendment to remove the Houston facility from the bill because that facility "brought several problems for members," embryonic stem cell advocates immediately protested. "As I understand it, the problem or one of the problems you are talking about is the [human embryonic] stem cell research issue?" asked Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine). "Correct," replied Morrison. ". . . [T]here are members in this body who are opposed to [embryonic] stem cell research, right?" echoed Rep. Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) after expressing her support for it. To watch the archived video of the debate, click HERE and begin at "1:25". (The amendment passed on a nonrecord voice vote.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn