[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 41 (Monday, March 9, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H3080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR EXECUTIVE ORDER TO OVERTURN BAN ON 
            FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

  (Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend President Obama 
for overturning former President Bush's ban on Federal funding for 
embryonic stem cell research.
  Lifting this 8-year-old restriction provides hope for doctors, 
scientists, and those in my district, our State, our country, who have 
waited far too long for research that may provide them with cures for 
diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and 
others.
  Just this weekend, I met with a young lady who I've grown to know 
very well, Karli Borcherding, who lives with juvenile diabetes and has 
done a great service to so many by sharing her story and educating 
countless Americans on this life-altering illness. Each time I meet 
with her, she reminds me of the hope that stem cell research holds for 
not just her, but children and young people like her who live with this 
disease.
  Stem cell research has the potential to revolutionize the way 
patients are treated. We must utilize the best minds and the best 
science to find cures for people living with chronic diseases.
  Our ability to utilize and encourage scientific and medical research 
has been put on hold too long. I am confident that President Obama will 
continue to work to enhance medical research and bring renewed hope to 
those who deserve access to the best medicine possible.

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