[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 2005

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I recently joined with nearly all members 
of this body in voting for H.R. 2520, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and 
Research Act.
  This important piece of public health legislation will help increase 
awareness of the possibility of using cord blood to improve access to 
blood-forming stem cell transplants and research.
  I also want to take a moment to bring attention to another aspect of 
this bill, the reauthorization of the National Bone Marrow Registry.
  Since its inception in 1986, the Registry has enjoyed strong 
bipartisan support and has been committed to helping people who need a 
lifesaving marrow or blood cell transplant.
  The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) has successfully operated 
the National Bone Marrow Registry through a competitive contract 
renewed every 5 years.
  The NMDP maintains the largest listing of volunteer donors and cord 
blood units in the world, supports patients and their doctors 
throughout the transplant process and matches patients with the best 
marrow donor or cord blood unit.
  This past November, the NMDP celebrated an important milestone when 
it facilitated its 20,000th transplant.
  The NMDP has worked diligently to increase the diversity of the 
National Bone Marrow Registry so that all Americans have access to 
lifesaving blood-forming stem cell transplants by increasing donations 
from racial and ethnic minorities and incorporating umbilical cord 
blood units as a new source of cells.
  The NMDP also provides transplant centers with the logistical support 
patients need from the moment a physician initiates a search.
  The NMDP provides expert advice on searching the National Registry, 
coordinates the testing of cord blood units and adult donors, ensures 
that the correct cells are obtained and delivered as directed by the 
physician, and assists patients with insurance, travel and other needs 
that arise as part of the transplant process.
  These programs help doctors focus on caring for their patients and 
helps patients and their families focus on what is important--getting 
well.
  I salute the NMDP for all it does to help patients, and I am pleased 
Congress was able to pass H.R. 2520.

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