Schakowsky: Don't Destroy Hope, Invest In Stem Cell Research

SCHAKOWSKY: DON'T DESTROY HOPE, INVEST IN STEM CELL RESEARCH

WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Majority Whip, today delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House in support of the Stem Cell Research Act Representatives:

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. I have been struck and moved by the number of colleagues who have cited their family members, including their children, as the driving force behind their support. None of us should be surprised because 100 million Americans are afflicted with diseases that could potentially be cured by embryonic stem cell research. And I've heard from so many of them in my own district — why destroy their hope?

And I rise today in the name of our beloved friend and part of our congressional family — Lane Evans. Lane who is one of the million Americans who suffer from Parkinson's disease which has cut his career short. During his time in Congress, Lane was dedicated to advancing stem cell research because he understands what it's like to struggle with an incapacitating disease, and he understands the hope that embryonic stem cell research holds. Why would we want to destroy that hope?

And I want to thank all of my friends from the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and their children for all the work they have done to raise awareness and met with me on a regular basis and educated me. And my dear friend, Bonnie Wilson, whose daughter Jenna has juvenile diabetes and has lived with that for her whole life — why would we want to destroy their hope?

Since I have been in Congress, I have received letters from people like Liz O'Malley. She described the daily struggles of her son, Seamus. Seamus has muscular dystrophy. He is only 11-years old. Stem cell treatment may be his only hope. Why would we want to destroy that hope?

Illinois has already awarded $10 million in grant funding to research institutes and hospitals because Governor Blagojevich recognizes the advances. Now we can do it on a federal level. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3.