[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
             INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999

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                               speech of

                          HON. DEBBIE STABENOW

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 1998

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4194) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent 
     agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and offices for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other 
     purposes:


  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment by 
my esteemed colleague Tim Roemer, which would terminate the 
International Space Station. I am especially pleased to say that my 
support for the International Space Station is shared by my 
constituents as evidenced by letters I ahve received from them, and 
from the 2,000+ space enthusiasts that attended the Great Space 
Adventure events that I sponsored this past Spring.
  The prospect of a permanent laboratory for researchers and scientists 
has students of all ages inspired--inspiration that will lead to more 
students pursuing math, science, engineering and medical careers. The 
International Space station also provides hope to the medical community 
and to patients afflicted with a variety of health conditions. Hope 
that research conducted in this permanent laboratory will yield new 
insights into human health and disease prevention and treatment, 
especially in the area of heart, lung, and kidney functions, 
cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, hormonal disorders and immune 
system functions.
  Already we have benefitted from the federal investments in the U.S. 
space program--and our investment in the International Space Station is 
no exception. For example: NASA developed a ``cool suit'' which is now 
helping to improve the quality of life of multiple sclerosis patients. 
NASA technology has produced a pacemaker that can be programmed from 
outside the body. NASA developed instruments to measure bone loss and 
bone density without penetrating the skin, which is now being used by 
hospitals.
  NASA research has led to an implant for delivering insulin to 
diabetics that is only 3 inches across, providing more precise control 
of blood sugar levels and frees diabetics from the burden of daily 
insulin injections. NASA technology has led to the development of 
medical devices which are used to revitalize purposeful movement to 
muscles crippled by spinal cord injuries. As a result, paraplegics and 
quadriplegics can get a full cardiovascular workout equivalent to 
jogging three miles three times per week.
  Technology from NASA also led to the development of an anti-shock 
garment for paramedic use which essentially reverses the effect of 
shock on the body's blood distribution and returns blood to the vital 
organs. This anti-shock garment has demonstrated effectiveness in 
treating shock from trauma induced by natural disasters or military 
actions, complications of pregnancy, ruptured internal organs, severe 
allergic reactions, brain injury and pediatric emergencies.
  Even, telemedicine has benefitted from NASA expertise since adoption 
during the previous decades was slowed by high costs and technological 
shortcomings. Today, the technique is burgeoning under the impetus of 
snowballing advances in computer, video-conferencing and digital 
imaging technologies that offer greater health access to rural 
Americans along with greater efficiency in data transmission and 
display.
  Mr. Chairman, these are but a few of the medical and health benefits 
that have come from our investments in the U.S. Space program, and I 
can not emphasize enough what value they have brought to the quality of 
life that so many of us have come to expect. It is because of this well 
documented success that I believe in the potential of the International 
Space Station. Joining me in recognizing the research potential of the 
Space Station are: the American Medical Association; the National 
Academy of Sciences; the National Research Council; the Federation of 
American Societies for Experimental Biology; the American Medical 
Women's Association; the Planetary Society; the National Foundation for 
Brain Research; and the Shering-Plough Research Institute.
  Let me also share with you what Dr. Michael DeBakey, Chancellor and 
Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine 
says about the need for a permanent laboratory in space:

       The Space Station is not a luxury any more than a medical 
     research center at Baylor College of Medicine is a luxury . . 
     . Present technology on the shuttle allows for stays in space 
     of only about two weeks. We do not limit medical researchers 
     to only a few hours in the laboratory and expect cures for 
     cancer. We need much longer missions in space--in months to 
     years--to obtain research results that may lead to the 
     development of new knowledge and breakthroughs.

  I agree with Dr. DeBakey's view; and because I believe the 
International Space Station has the potential to help my constituents 
with their health and quality of life in the long term, I urge my 
colleagues to oppose the Roemer amendment and to support the 
International Space Station.

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