[QUAD-L] [Fwd: stem cell]

[Angelique Novak]

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June 29, 2006   Dear CAMR Friends,   This Fourth of July weekend is a time for celebration.  Not only will we mark the history of our great nation, but today Senator Frist delivered news that makes us hopeful for the future as well.   Just this afternoon, Senator Frist announced that the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810) will be brought to the Senate floor for a vote this year.  He successfully obtained what is called “unanimous consent” from his Senate colleagues to move forward with a vote on a package of bills that includes H.R. 810.  The other bills in the package are the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, S. 2754, and the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006, S. 3504.  Under the agreement, amendments will not be permitted and each bill will have a separate vote and will need at least 60 votes to pass.  While a date has not been set, Senator Frist has now entered into a formal compact with all of his colleagues in the Senate that a vote will occur.   We will not be taking a position on the other two bills; our goal is get H.R. 810 passed.  While the other bills do not raise significant objections from the scientific community, it is important to stress that they should not be considered as substitutes for H.R. 810.  It is a vote for H.R. 810, and this bill alone, that will move stem cell research forward in our country.   Of course, we need your help now more than ever.  Our fight in the Senate is not over until H.R. 810 passes with at least 60 votes.  Please pick up the phone today to call your Senators and ask them to vote in favor of H.R. 810 when the Senate takes up the bill.  Make them understand that you will not accept any substitutes or alternative bills and that the only vote you will accept is one in favor of H.R. 810.   Call your senators at the following numbers and share with them the message below:   Senator Mark Dayton Telephone #: (202) 224-3244   Senator Norm Coleman Telephone #: (202) 224-5641   Message:   “I strongly support the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810) and ask that you vote in favor of it.  Only a vote in favor of H.R. 810 is a vote in favor of moving stem cell research forward in our county.  Please work to pass H.R. 810 soon with no amendments and no alternatives.”   While you are gathered with friends and family over the holiday weekend share this great news with them and urge everyone you know to join CAMR and to call their senators with this message.  Thank you for doing your part to get H.R. 810 passed by the Senate.   Thank you,     Sean Tipton President

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