A Message From Ben on President Bush's Stem Cell Veto
A Message From Ben on President Bush's Stem Cell Veto
Dear Friends,
After several years of debate, Congress finally passed a bill that would give researchers the tools they need to continue using embryonic stem cell research to find cures and treatments for debilitating diseases and injuries.
Yesterday, President Bush chose to use the veto pen for the first time in his presidency. This veto is nothing short of a tragedy.
With his signature, the President has told America's best scientists not to try to cure some of our worst diseases. This is a major blow to the millions of Americans who suffer from diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and from spinal cord injuries.
On Tuesday, I visited with a young man from Montgomery County who stands to gain a lot from embryonic stem cell research.
Two years ago, Joshua Basile was on vacation at the beach with his friends, boogie boarding in the ocean. He turned his back to the water for just a split second and a wave hit him from behind and threw him to the ground. Josh couldn't feel his arms or legs. Just 18-years-old, his life changed in an instant.
But instead of giving up and letting his injury control his life, Josh saw his condition as a challenge - one that with the help of modern medicine he could overcome someday. He founded an organization called "Determined to Heal" to help give hope to others with spinal cord injuries. He's now interning in my Congressional office and doing a great job!
Josh spends a lot of time with the best doctors in the world, right here in Maryland. These doctors are leading the world in advancing cures to diseases and injuries and they are optimistic that their research will soon lead to real treatments to help people like Josh. Just a few weeks ago, doctors at Johns Hopkins University shocked the world when they were able to make a paralyzed rat walk again after implanting embryonic stem cells.
But this promising research has suffered a major setback. President Bush and his Republican majority have put their narrow ideological interests ahead of the health of millions of Americans.
This underscores why it's so important for Maryland to elect a U.S. Senator who shares their values and will fight for their needs. As you know, Michael Steele strongly opposes embryonic stem cell research and although he was silent about the President's veto, I think we all know where he stands.
I am proud to be a strong supporter of embryonic stem cell research. I was proud to vote for the bill that President Bush vetoed yesterday.
And yesterday, I proudly dedicated my vote to override that veto to Josh and all the other Marylanders and Americans who are holding out hope for a cure.
With your help, I'll take this fight with me to the U.S. Senate.
Thank you,
Ben Cardin
http://www.bencardin.com/news?id=0065