Public Statements

Speaker:Representative Michael A. Arcuri (NY)
Title: Arcuri Joins Boehlert in Supporting Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research
Date:07/21/2006
Location: New Hartford, NY
Speech

Arcuri Joins Boehlert in Supporting Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research
7/21/06

Text of Michael Arcuri's Remarks on Stem Cell Research
Followed by Remarks from Mike DiScipio
Press Conference in New Hartford, New York
July 21, 2006

Friends and supporters, thank you for joining us today.

We live in a hopeful and optimistic time, in large part because of exciting scientific and technological advances that promise to make our world more prosperous and healthy. Stem cell research is one of most important of these areas.

Every day scientists discover thrilling breakthroughs that hold out the promise of cures for cancer, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, kidney disease, ALS (better known as Lou Gehrig's disease), multiple sclerosis, and many other terrible diseases. Stem cell therapies also offer hope for helping victims of catastrophic spinal injuries so that people like Mike DiScipio and others might someday regain movement and possibly walk again.

Stem cell research will also be a huge economic benefit to New Yorkers, since our state is home to some of the most advanced medical researchers and biotechnology firms in the world.

The vast majority of Americans recognize the value of stem cell research and the deep moral obligation that we have to use this research to help millions of our fellow citizens who suffer from debilitating and life-threatening diseases and injuries.
That's why majorities in both the House and the Senate voted to increase federal support for stem cell research. These Senators and Representatives represented a bipartisan coalition, and include Democrats like Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, along with Republicans like Bill Frist, Orrin Hatch, John McCain, and Sherwood Boelhert.

As Congressman Boehlert said, This issue is not party-specific. There are leaders in the Republican Party who have supported this bill all the way. Congressman Boehlert is not the only Republican to support federally-funded stem cell research. Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon, referring to 3 members of his family stricken by Parkinson Disease, recently said: To watch people die is to instill in one's heart a desire to err on the side of health, hope and healing, to find a cure if a cure can be found.

Despite this broad bipartisan support in Washington and around the country, President Bush chose to veto the stem cell research bill. For five and half years, President Bush didn't veto a single bill. Dozens of wasteful, partisan, budget-busting, pork-barrel spending bills have crossed his desk, but no vetoes. But give him a bill supported by Senators and Representatives of both parties and all ideological persuasions; a bill that will help millions of people suffering from terrible diseases; a bill that will help maintain America's global lead in science and biotechnology; well, that's the time to take the veto pen out of the closet.

That, my friends, is EXACTLY why we need change in Washington. We need to elect people to Congress with the moral values to stand with people like Mike DiScipio and the other Americans who desperately need the benefits of stem cell research.

That's why as your Congressman I will support efforts to expand stem cell research. Supporting stem cell research is both morally correct and economically important for New Yorkers.

Unfortunately, my opponent, Raymond Meier, has some rather extreme views on this issue. In fact, he is the sponsor in Albany of a bill that would ban almost all forms of embryonic stem cell research in New York. According to New Yorkers for the Advancement of Medical Research, Raymond Meier's bill would be devastating to the many New Yorkers who suffer from the physical, psychological and economic burdens of life-threatening and debilitating diseases.

Raymond Meier also told the Utica Observer Dispatch that "Stem cell research is of dubious medical value."

Here are just two recent examples of the advances made possible by stem cell research:
Earlier this month scientists in California, where the State has invested in state funded stem cell research, reported that they were able to develop immune system T-cells from stem cells, offering great hope for this with AIDS and other diseases the ravage the immune system.
In June scientists at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore transplanted mice stem cells into paralyzed rats and helped them to walk again.

These are just two examples of the medical advances being made with stem cells that will benefit real people. As your Congressman, I look forward to helping our scientists realize the vast promise of stem cells so that, God willing, millions of Americans and their families will see an end to their suffering.

I believe this debate is best summarized by the words of former First Lady Nancy Regan. She said: Time is short, and life is precious, and I hope this promising research can now move forward. Despite all of these important reasons to support stem cell research this president chose to veto this important legislation.

WORDS OF MIKE DI SCIPIO
Delivered at Arcuri Press Conference
July 21, 2006

Hi,
My name is Mike Di Scipio and I am a former Albany County Sheriff's Dept. Correction Officer. On July 3, 1999 while celebrating my son's little league championship at my home with family and friends, I dove into my pool and broke my neck suffering a serious spinal cord injury leaving me paralyzed from the chest down. From that point, my life changed drastically. Things that used to be so simple like wrapping my arms around, hugging, feeling and picking up my kids I can no longer do. I went from being a 5 ft 10 inch 230 lbs weight lifter, who could bench press 400 lbs of free weight, to someone who couldn't do anything but look around with my eyes. We were lost in a world unknown to us and we didn't know where to turn.

In November 2002, when I was asked to sit along side the late Christopher Reeves at Rockefeller University during the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Board Symposium, I finally realized why this happened to me and what my new purpose in life now would be.

Listening to Christopher talk that afternoon on how Embryonic Stem Cells have GREAT potential to help people with all kinds of sicknesses, diseases and injuries such as ours according to many researchers around the world, gave me great hope that I will stand up and walk someday and enjoy my life to the fullest.

Since then, I have become an advocate for this cutting edge research that desperately needs to be explored, pursued and funded in order to find a cure for all of us who suffer. I began by reaching out to the media as well as writing to the press lauding several interviews and articles. Next was motivational talks and seminars, followed by lobbying State and Federal elected leaders, including New York State Majority Leader Sen. Joseph Bruno and Speaker of the House of Congressman Sheldon Silver. One of my favorite and most effective tactics was raising $8,600 to post several billboards on major highways, with a picture of myself, along with my son and daughter on each side of me, stating across the top in big letters: PLEASE HELP ME WALK AND PLAY WITH MY CHILDREN, Support Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

I then launched a postcard campaign where I had hundreds of postcards made with a picture of the billboard on the front. My next project involved a good friend of mine, John Moynihan, who is a paraplegic from a car accident, who now designs web sites for a living. My web site SCRNY.ORG focuses mainly on Embryonic Stem Cell Research and educating people. To date, my site has landed almost 13,000 hits from people all around the world, which I am very proud of.

After thinking of what I could do next to top that, I decided to contact another close friend of mine, Ben Moore. Ben happens to be a professional photographer and videographer. My thoughts were to make a tasteful DVD showing the most intimate sides of living with a Spinal Cord Injury, beginning with my morning routine where I transfer to and from bed, my bowel regime, showering, dressing, daily therapy and all the other daily activities that I struggle with, that the average person takes for granted. We video to college students, healthcare agencies as well as to public officials who support and oppose Stem Cell Research. This video, which is very powerful and moving, brings a real person directly to you, to show why this research has to move forward and be funded to find a cure.

That brings me to President Bush and many others who oppose this type of research. Our country is made up of many different nationalities and religions. The president needs to remember that his faith should not dictate political policies on everyone, because everyone does not have the same faith as him. Our elected officials have to realize that they represent us and need to listen to what we want and not dictate us, this is a Democracy. Poll after poll after poll shows us that approximately 70% of our nation is in favor of this type of research and we need to make changes. We need to make a statement in the upcoming election and send a strong message to Washington D.C.

These cells that we want are cells left over from invitro fertilization clinics that will be disregarded and thrown away. We don?t support or condone abortions, human cloning or harvesting of these cells. In fact we want strong restrictions and ethical guidelines involving the research of these cells. President Bush and people who support his point of view will try and say this is taking a life. I am a Catholic and I strongly disagree, I feel this is TRANSFORMING LIFE INTO NEW LIFE extending the life of these cells that they want destroyed by throwing them into the dumpster.

Watching President Bush on CNN Wednesday evening, vetoing the bill that he received from Congress, absolutely made me sick. Having people posing with children, who appeared perfectly healthy, showed his ignorance. I ask President Bush, why did you not have a room full of Mothers with their children who are suffering from juvenile diabetes or people in their late stages of Parkinsons of Alzhiemers. We need to listen to our great researchers and stop holding back what some people desperately need and want.

With that said, I am proud to be here today, to endorse and ask you all to come out in the upcoming elections and support our next United States Congressman, representing all the people of the 24th congressional District, Michael Arcuri.

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