[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY

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                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 23, 2008

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations 
to the American Society of Hematology (ASH) on its 50th anniversary and 
to recognize some of the many contributions made by hematology 
researchers.
  I have had the opportunity to work closely with ASH researchers over 
the past several years while seeking to expand federally funded stem 
cell research. Highlighting the significance of embryonic stem cell 
research will remain one of my top issues as millions of Americans 
continue to suffer from debilitating diseases that could potentially be 
helped through this live-saving research.
  Hematologists have pioneered the field of stem cell research for over 
40 years with innovative discoveries about adult bone marrow stem cells 
and how they could be used to cure human diseases. Today, hematopoietic 
stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an important approach for treating 
blood and bone marrow disorders as well as certain types of cancer. The 
earliest work with HSCT began in the 1950s. By the 1960s this treatment 
was successfully used in patients with end-stage leukemia. Subsequent 
research in this area has led to improved transplantation techniques 
and improved survival rates for a number of diseases.
  ASH was one of the first professional medical or scientific 
organizations to issue a statement in support of all avenues of stem 
cell research. Today, ASH members are poised to contribute to research 
on embryonic stem cells that has the potential to lead to the next 
generation of important therapies for a broad range of diseases.
  I look forward to continuing to work with ASH and its members in the 
future and congratulate the Society again on its 50 years of research 
contributions.

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