[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 930]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN SUPPORT OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as a physician, a mother 
and a representative of many who would benefit from H.R. 3, in strong 
support of H.R. 3 which would expand Federal funding for embryonic stem 
cell research, increase stem cell lines and impose strict ethical 
guidelines. These stem cells would otherwise be destroyed. So this is 
not a faith issue, a theological conundrum or a partisan issue. It is a 
public health issue and one of maintaining this country's leadership in 
the world.
  This bill is important to minorities and the Congressional Black 
Caucus because embryonic stem cell research will help reduce and even 
eliminate the health care disparities that now leave African Americans 
and other people of color more likely to be disabled or die from the 
diseases it can cure.
  As a physician I have treated individuals with some of these 
diseases--Parkinson's, sickle cell, ALS and others--and despite using 
all we had available too often stood helplessly with their families as 
the conditions took their toll. Today we can change that and we must.
  As a mother and a grandmother of three, I ask my colleagues to 
support H.R. 3 and create a healthier and better country for all of us.

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