[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORT THE STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT, H.R. 810

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                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2006

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I support moving stem cell 
research forward and believe H.R. 810 will accomplish it in an ethical 
and responsible manner.
  It is almost 2 years since my daughter-in-law, Naomi, underwent a 
kidney transplant. I marvel at the combined results of the many people 
and years of science and research that came before her which gave her 
that opportunity .
  Naomi was lucky and found an eligible donor in her brother. The 
transplant operation was a success. In fact, just a month ago, our 
family cheered on Naomi at the Transplant Olympics.
  It seems like a happy ending, but the story does not end here.
  My daughter-in-law takes a number of drugs to keep her body from 
rejecting her new kidney. I hope her body will be able to support her 
transplant for many years.
  Hopefully, Naomi will not need to face another transplant for many, 
many years. Clearly, she may not be able to go to a sibling again.
  Will new research bring her new hope in the future?
  Mr. Speaker, as you can see, I have a personal reason for seeing an 
expansion of the existing stem cell lines.
  New stem cell lines hold the promise of advancing medical research 
and providing cures to a number of diseases.
  After years of work, both the House and Senate passed bipartisan stem 
cell legislation. Unfortunately, President Bush vetoed this critical 
bill. Despite a valiant effort in the House, we could not override this 
veto.
  We need to think about tomorrow--what kind of future do we want to 
provide for the millions of individuals who live with life-threatening 
illnesses and their families?
  If we don't move forward, we will not have the chance to develop 
innovative treatments, including the potential of growing kidneys.
  I hope I can give Naomi and other families like ours that chance.

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