U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Signs Stem Cell Support Letter

May 14th, 2004 by Admin

TAMR News Release

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Signs Stem Cell Support Letter to President Bush

May 14, 2004

Beckie McCleery (512) 585-3329

Judy Haley (713) 464-8707

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Signs Stem Cell Support Letter to President Bush TAMR Applauds this Bold Step to Cure Degenerative Diseases

Once again, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has taken a bold position of leadership for the state of Texas. Last week, 206 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including conservative pro-life Republican leaders, sent President Bush a bi-partisan letter asking him to expand his policy on stem cell research. This week, the Senate began to weigh in with a similar bi- partisan letter, and one of the first Republicans to sign on was Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas.

Long known for her support of biomedical research, Senator Hutchison recently formed the Texas Academy for Science, Engineering, and Medicine, bringing together preeminent leaders to push Texas further to the forefront in these fields. Now she has taken her support a step further by signing the Specter-Harkin letter, which will be sent from the Senate to President Bush. Senator Hutchison’s signature sends a signal to the science and medical community across Texas that the time has come to advance stem cell research, a new frontier of medicine. To our elected officials, at both federal and state levels, her signature also clarifies that stem cell research is supported by conservative, pro-life Republicans.

“Growing numbers of citizens and elected officials are recognizing that the stem cell lines made available under the President’s current policy are far fewer than expected. And, because the cells were grown on mouse feeder lines, they are contaminated with mouse viruses and proteins, making them unsuitable for human therapy. These problems will have a direct impact on how quickly cure therapies can be developed for diabetes, Parkinson’s, MS, and other degenerative diseases,” said Judith Haley, Vice President of Texans for Advancement of Medical Research (TAMR).

“Stem cell research is not a Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, pro-life or pro-choice issue,” said Beckie McCleery, TAMR President. “It crosses all lines of thought and belief. With their public support, members of Congress are clearly articulating a desire to advance stem cell research to cure the most devastating diseases of our time. We are very grateful to Senator Hutchison for stepping out and taking a lead on this issue.”

TAMR is composed of leading scientists, physicians, ethicists, health groups, and individuals who support biomedical research for the purpose of curing diseases and alleviating suffering. TAMR was created last legislative session in response to the threat to stem cell research in Texas. TAMR is helping to build a bi-partisan coalition within the Texas legislature that supports all types of stem cell research for regenerative medicine.
TAMR

Stem Cell Research takes Center Stage

May 11th, 2004 by Admin

May 11, 2004

TAMR Praises Courage of Nancy Reagan

Beckie McCleery (512) 585-3329

Judy Haley (713) 464-8707

Powerful conservative Republican voices are beginning to break their silence, as grassroots support swells and scientific evidence grows stronger that regenerative medicine, and specifically stem cell research, is medicine’s newest and most promising frontier. Saturday night, former First Lady Nancy Reagan joined these swelling ranks, as she spoke at a California Juvenile Diabetes Research event that raised $2 million for stem cell research.

“The courage and wisdom demonstrated by Mrs. Reagan is extraordinary and commendable,” said Beckie McCleery, President of Texans for Advancement of Medical Research (TAMR). “Her public commitment confirms the growing bi-partisan support for stem cell research.”

Stem cell research holds the hope for cures to diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s, MS, MD, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer’s the disease which, according to Mrs. Reagan, has taken the former president “to a distant place where I can no longer reach him, and share our 52 years.” She added that “Science has presented us with a hope called stem cell research, which may provide our scientists with many answers that for so long have been beyond our grasp. I just don’t see how we can turn our backs on this.” Letters expressing similar support for stem cell research from former presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were read to the enthusiastic audience filled with celebrities, including Parkinson’s patient and advocate Michael J. Fox.

“Mrs. Reagan’s speech came on the heels of a letter to President Bush from 206 members of Congress, including a number of conservative, pro-life Republicans, who are convinced that they can no longer remain silent about political roadblocks to development of cutting-edge treatment,” said Judy Haley, TAMR Vice President.

TAMR is composed of leading scientists, physicians, ethicists, health groups, and individuals who support biomedical research for the purpose of curing diseases and alleviating suffering. TAMR was created last legislative session in response to the threat to stem cell research in Texas. TAMR is helping to build a bi-partisan coalition within the Texas legislature that supports all types of stem cell research.

TAMR

 

Your donation will protect research to secure a healthier future for loved ones.

Fast Facts about Stem Cell Research

Breaking News

Show All News

Orrin Hatch

Read a moving account of Senator Hatch’s long and inspiring search concerning his decision to support stem cell research from his book, Square Peg.

Yvonne Perry

The "Right to Recover" by Yvonne Perry highlights TAMR's accomplishments in Texas. Click here to read the excerpt and to listen to the companion song.


Website Stem Cell images courtesy of California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's photostream