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Thank you Ray for posting
YAY President Obama for your supportive position on stem cell reserch and
sceintific integrity!
Grateful!
Tess Owens

On Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 1:30 PM, rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Text of President Obama's remarks
> Lifts ban on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research
>
> Posted: March 09, 2009
> 2:44 pm Eastern
>
> © 2009 WorldNetDaily
>
> President Obama shakes hands with Rep. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, who
> was paralyzed at the age of 16, during a ceremony at the White House today
> in which he signed the Stem Cell Executive Order and Presidential Memorandum
> on Scientific Integrity
> East Room
> 11:47 A.M. EDT
> THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Please, have a seat. Thank you much. Well, I'm
> excited too. (Laughter.)
> Today, with the executive order I am about to sign, we will bring the
> change that so many scientists and researchers, doctors and innovators,
> patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight
> years: We will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem
> cell research. (Applause.) We will also vigorously support scientists who
> pursue this research. (Applause.) And we will aim for America to lead the
> world in the discoveries it one day may yield.
> At this moment, the full promise of stem cell research remains unknown, and
> it should not be overstated. But scientists believe these tiny cells may
> have the potential to help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our
> most devastating diseases and conditions: to regenerate a severed spinal
> cord and lift someone from a wheelchair; to spur insulin production and
> spare a child from a lifetime of needles; to treat Parkinson's, cancer,
> heart disease and others that affect millions of Americans and the people
> who love them.
> But that potential will not reveal itself on its own. Medical miracles do
> not happen simply by accident. They result from painstaking and costly
> research, from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears
> fruit, and from a government willing to support that work. From life-saving
> vaccines, to pioneering cancer treatments, to the sequencing of the human
> genome - that is the story of scientific progress in America. When
> government fails to make these investments, opportunities are missed.
> Promising avenues go unexplored. Some of our best scientists leave for other
> countries that will sponsor their work. And those countries may surge ahead
> of ours in the advances that transform our lives.
> In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than
> furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false
> choice between sound science and moral values. In this case, I believe the
> two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to
> care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been
> given the capacity and will to pursue this research - and the humanity and
> conscience to do so responsibly.
> It's a difficult and delicate balance. And many thoughtful and decent
> people are conflicted about, or strongly oppose, this research. And I
> understand their concerns, and I believe that we must respect their point of
> view.
> But after much discussion, debate and reflection, the proper course has
> become clear. The majority of Americans - from across the political
> spectrum, and from all backgrounds and beliefs - have come to a consensus
> that we should pursue this research; that the potential it offers is great,
> and with proper guidelines and strict oversight, the perils can be avoided.
> That is a conclusion with which I agree. And that is why I am signing this
> executive order, and why I hope Congress will act on a bipartisan basis to
> provide further support for this research. We are joined today by many
> leaders who have reached across the aisle to champion this cause, and I
> commend all of them who are here for that work.
> Ultimately, I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures
> we seek. No President can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek
> them - actively, responsibly, and with the urgency required to make up for
> lost ground. Not just by opening up this new front of research today, but by
> supporting promising research of all kinds, including groundbreaking work to
> convert ordinary human cells into ones that resemble embryonic stem cells.
> I can also promise that we will never undertake this research lightly. We
> will support it only when it is both scientifically worthy and responsibly
> conducted. We will develop strict guidelines, which we will rigorously
> enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse. And we will ensure
> that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human
> reproduction. It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our
> society, or any society.
> Now, this order is an important step in advancing the cause of science in
> America. But let's be clear: Promoting science isn't just about providing
> resources - it's also about protecting free and open inquiry. It's about
> letting scientists like those who are here today do their jobs, free from
> manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's
> inconvenient - especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that
> scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda
> - and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology.
> (Applause.)
> By doing this, we will ensure America's continued global leadership in
> scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs. And that is
> essential not only for our economic prosperity, but for the progress of all
> humanity.
> And that's why today I'm also signing a Presidential Memorandum directing
> the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to
> develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government
> decision-making - (applause) - to ensure that in this new administration, we
> base our public policies on the soundest science; that we appoint scientific
> advisors based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or
> ideology; and that we are open and honest with the American people about the
> science behind our decisions. That's how we'll harness the power of science
> to achieve our goals - to preserve our environment and protect our national
> security; to create the jobs of the future, and live longer, healthier
> lives.
> As we restore our commitment to science and expand funding for promising
> stem cell research, we owe a debt of gratitude to so many tireless
> advocates, some of whom are with us today, many of whom are not. Today, we
> honor all those whose names we don't know, who organized and raised
> awareness and kept on fighting - even when it was too late for them, or for
> the people they love. And we honor those we know, who used their influence
> to help others and bring attention to this cause - people like Christopher
> and Dana Reeve, who we wish could be here to see this moment.
> One of Christopher's friends recalled that he hung a sign on the wall of
> the exercise room where he did his grueling regimen of physical therapy. And
> it read: "For everyone who thought I couldn't do it. For everyone who
> thought I shouldn't do it. For everyone who said it's impossible. See you at
> the finish line."
> Christopher once told a reporter who was interviewing him: If you came back
> here 10 - "If you came back here in 10 years, I expect that I'd walk to the
> door to greet you."
> Now, Christopher did not get that chance. But if we pursue this research,
> maybe one day - maybe not in our lifetime, or even in our children's
> lifetime - but maybe one day, others like Christopher Reeves might.
> There's no finish line in the work of science. The race is always with us -
> the urgent work of giving substance to hope and answering those many bedside
> prayers, of seeking a day when words like "terminal" and "incurable" are
> potentially retired from our vocabulary.
> Today, using every resource at our disposal, with renewed determination to
> lead the world in the discoveries of this new century, we rededicate
> ourselves to this work.
> Before I sign, I want to just note the people who are on the stage with me.
> In addition to our outstanding Secretary of Energy, Secretary Chu; we also
> have Dr. Patricia Bath; we have Dr. H. Robert Horvitz; we have Dr. Janet
> Rowley; Dr. Harold Varmus, who's going to be the co-chair of my President's
> Council on Science; we've got Dr. Michael Bishop; and we also have Dr. Peter
> Agre. So these are an example of the outstanding scientists who we hope will
> guide us through this process in the years to come.
> And with them standing beside me, I'd also like to invite some of my
> colleagues from Congress who have done just such extraordinary work to share
> in the limelight, because you guys are still going to have some work to do,
> and - but it's because of the leadership of so many of you across partisan
> lines that we've been able to accomplish so much already.
> So thank you very much, everybody. Let's go sign this. (Applause.)
> (The executive order is signed.) (Applause.)
>
> Rayilyn Brown
> Director AZNPF
> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
> [log in to unmask]
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-- 
Namasté
tess
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world." - Margaret Mead
"I believe it to be perfectly possible for an individual to adopt the way of
life of the future... No one need wait for anyone else to adopt a humane and
enlightened course of action." - M.K. Gandhi

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