Senate Bill 148 Signed into Law

On Thursday, May 24, 2007, I had the pleasure of watching Senate Bill 148 signed into law by Governor Perdue. I have to admit, I was surprised that Senator Shafer invited me to the signing, and it was interesting, to say the least, to be so close to Sadie Fields. (If you don't recognize the name click here for a blog entry that sum up my thoughts on Sadie.)

OK. I debated whether or not to make the following comment, but I say, oh why not! Thursday was the first time that I've ever seen Sadie up close and personal, and I have to know how she keeps her face looking so youthful. The youthful tightness of her cheeks must come nature or maybe her family ages well because I doubt a die-hard religious lady, such as Ms. Fields, would have plastic surgery. I mean, plastic surgery is vanity, right? If I remember correctly, vanity is a sin, not to mention 'damaging' the temple. I digress.

Once I find the cord to hook the digital camera to my computer, I'll post some pictures of the signing.

House Science & Technology Committee Passes SB 148

SB 148, the Saving the Cure Act, was passed yesterday by the House Science & Technology Committee. Now it will move to the House floor. While this is good news, it wouldn't hurt to contact your House Rep to let him/her know you want to this bill passed!

I will definitely have another blog entry up tonight because I want to share an email I received last week from Representative Amos Amerson and other information around SB 148.

Also, I hope to have a quote or two from SB 148's sponsor, Senator David Shafer, to include in the entry tonight.

Here is the AJC Article:

Stem cell bill passes in last-minute vote

By Sonji Jacobs Tuesday, April 17, 2007, 07:53 PM

A bill that would promote nondestructive stem cell research in Georgia received a last-minute committee vote Tuesday, greatly improving the proposal’s chances of passing the General Assembly this year.

The House Science and Technology Committee, chaired by Rep. Amos Amerson (R-Dahlonega), approved Senate Bill 148 with no opposition. Last week, the committee declined to vote on the measure, raising doubts about whether the bill would pass before the final day of the Legislative session. The 2007 session is expected to wrap up on Friday.

“My objective from the beginning has been to promote every type of stem cell research over which there is no ethical controversy,” said Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), the bill’s sponsor. “The committee substitute approved by the House committee today achieves that goal by citing federal guidelines.”

Shafer said he worked with House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) on reworking the bill. The measure now mirrors some of the language in a federal bill being pushed by U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga).

Isakson’s measure, dubbed the Hope Act, would provide federal funding only for research on stem cells taken from so-called “naturally dead” embryos —- those too deficient to produce a child if implanted. His bill is intended to address critics’ main objection: that taking stem cells from viable embryos destroys the embryos, an act they equate with taking a human life.
The U.S. Senate last week passed the bill.

In Georgia, Shafer’s bill needs to pass the full House and then must return to the Senate for approval of the changes made by the House.

Senate Bill 148, First Committee Hearing

Senate Bill 148, the Saving the Cure Act, went before the House Science & Technology Committee today. No voting took place today as the committee only took testimony, which lasted for almost two hours. Dr. Marie Csete, who conducts embryonic stem cell research at Emory University, spoke against the bill by saying the omission of embryonic stem cell research in SB 148 is hostile judgment. Maybe it is just me, but I'm not thinking that is too sound of an argument; however, rumor has it that Dr. Csete's argument might be enough to sway two members of the House Science & Technology Committee. Dr. Csete is a perfect example of one of the two groups I mentioned in my last blog entry who oppose SB 148.

SB 148 does not prohibit or even discourage embryonic stem cell research; the focus of the bill is solely on non-embryonic stem cell research and establishing an umbilical cord blood bank. If Dr. Csete wants bills promoting embryonic stem cell research in the GA General Assembly she needs to contact her elected officials to 'get the ball rolling.' A passed SB 148 will not block such an initiative.

I understand that Dr. Csete is passionate about her field of study and feels the need to voice her opinion, and I am thankful we live in a country where Dr. Csete can voice her opinion freely, but I only wish she would think of the greater good that is possible by the passing of SB 148. Is Keone Penn, first person to be cured of sickle cell via an umbilical cord blood transplant, not evidence of the greater good?

Not to sound harsh, but also staying true to speaking my mind, I would hope a doctor would have a better argument than saying the omission of an item is hostile judgment. If I would have used such an argument way back when, when I was on the middle school debate team, the debate coach would have pulled me from the podium.

Again, I encourage you to review Senator Shafer's website for SB 148, the Saving the Cure Act. Navigate the site to read various letters of support and newspaper articles regarding the bill along with the names of organizations that support SB 148.

When you email the House and Technology Committee please copy Senator Shafer (David.Shafer@senate.ga.gov). For your ease, you may copy and paste the emails of the Science and Technology members from below:
amos.amerson@house.ga.gov; chuck@martinforgeorgia.com; xda92@mmm-law.com; david.casas@house.ga.gov; hardie.davis@house.ga.gov; kevinlevitas@bellsouth.net; marymargaret.oliver@house.ga.gov; barbara.reece@house.ga.gov; barry.loudermilk@house.ga.gov

Please share information regarding SB 148 with coworkers, friends, and family. Encourage them to contact the House and Technology Committee. With our support this bill can be released from committee and eventually passed in the House.

As citizens, it is our jobs to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions in the General Assembly. Their votes speak for us, so we must not fail to inform them of how to represent us, and if they fail to represent us we must take action at the polls .

Senate Bill 148, Saving the Cure Act

This week I received a thank you from Senator David Shafer (pictured to the left) for my blog entry on Senate Bill 148, Saving the Cure Act, which he sponsored. Honestly, I was surprised that Senator Shafer had discovered my blog entry regarding SB 148, but I was even more surprised that he took the time to contact me and provide me with an update on the bill. I understand that our elected officials are busy; most of them have the tasks family life along with a day job and then for 40 hectic days they serve us in the General Assembly. I hope the citizens of District 48 take notice of the thorough and dedicatedwork of Senator Shafer.

You might wonder where the idea for SB 148 originated. The bill is product of Keone Penn, who was cured of sickle cell anemia. Penn was the first recipient of an umbilical cord blood transplant, a transplant that saved his life. He has spoken to our elected officials about the battles he endured, the impact of his treatment, and having the opportunity to live sickle cell free. I don't understand how any elected official could vote against SB 148 after hearing Penn's story firsthand.

When I first discovered SB 148 from an AJC article, I did not know Keone Penn's story, and I could not imagine who, elected official or citizen, would want to oppose this bill. The bill supports NON-Embryonic Stem cell research and establishes an Umbilical Cord Blood Bank. Think of all the chances for research, all the possibilities to save lives that this bill gives to the citizens of Georgia. However, there are two groups that oppose SB 148. One group being those see the words "Stem Cell" and will not even give the bill a chance; the other group being people who support embryonic stem cell research and feel SB 148 is not enough. Since these two groups can't see past their prejudices, our support for SB 148 must outweigh theirs.

Also, check out Senator Shafer's page for Senate Bill 148, the Saving the Cure Act. As you navigate around the page you can find more information on the bill, various newspaper articles, and letters of support from citizens and organizations.

Good News: SB 148 passed through the Senate with a vote of 39 to 15. I am not going to discuss all the Senators who voted no; however, I want to spotlight two Senators: I am very disappointed in Senator Vincent Fort of District 39 (pictured to the right) for his vote of no, and I am disappointed and bothered that Nan Orrock of District 36 (pictured to the left) who serves on the Science and Technology, voted no against the bill in committee and on the Senate floor. Orrock was the only Senator on the Science and Technology committee to vote no. Senators Fort and Orrock are seasoned elected officials who in my opinion have worked to better our state, but in this instance they dropped the ball. When you have time I hope you will review the voting record for SB 148. Does your senator stand where you stand? If not, you need to voice your opinion.

The Fight: Now, SB 148 must be pass the House of Representatives. On Monday, April 9 at 2pm, SB 148 will go before the House Science and Technology Committee. SB 148 must pass through this hearing to make it to a vote on the House floor. If you are able, before 2pm on Monday, please contact the House Science and Technology Committee to let them know you want SB 148 to pass as submitted, no changes. In case you want to call the committee Monday morning feel free to call 404-657-8534 and voice your opinion. When you email the House and Technology Committee please copy Senator Shafer (David.Shafer@senate.ga.gov). For your ease, you may copy and paste the emails of the Science and Technology members from below:

amos.amerson@house.ga.gov; chuck@martinforgeorgia.com; xda92@mmm-law.com; david.casas@house.ga.gov; hardie.davis@house.ga.gov; kevinlevitas@bellsouth.net; marymargaret.oliver@house.ga.gov; barbara.reece@house.ga.gov; barry.loudermilk@house.ga.gov

Share this information with coworkers, friends, and family.

TAKE ACTION!