Hope Offered Through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research Act--Continued

Floor Speech

HOPE OFFERED THROUGH PRINCIPLED AND ETHICAL STEM CELL RESEARCH ACT--Continued -- (Senate - April 11, 2007)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I thank the leader for his support and particularly Meg Hauck who has been of immense value to us throughout the entire process of this deliberation.

I thank majority leader Harry Reid and his staff on the floor for the equitable and fair way in which they allocated time in support of this debate.

I thank Tyler Thompson on my staff, Chris Carr, Joan Kirchner, and a former member of my staff who retired but started this journey with me some time ago, Brittany Espy; also, Dr. Steven Stice at the University of Georgia, whom I have quoted many times on this floor in the course of the last 20 hours of debate, but a scientist like many in America who seeks to find cures for diseases not yet cured, who understands the potential, the vibrance, and the hope of embryonic stem cell research and found ways to develop those embryonic stem cells that are compatible with the directive of the President of 5 years ago but offer new, expanded hope and reality for research in the future.

I particularly pay a compliment to Senator Harkin who has been the floor manager on S. 5 throughout this debate. He has been very cooperative in every way in allowing us to share our thoughts on two distinct bills, S. 5 and S. 30.

I want to quote Senator Gordon Smith. Senator Smith, in his speech, said these bills should not be looked at as competitors but as companions. I agree with that statement because they seek to accomplish the same thing, although they travel down a highway that differs slightly.

The minority leader has accurately expressed the hopes and dreams and aspirations of all Americans, and that is for us to be a catalyst at the Federal level, to ensure that breakthroughs in health, in medicine, and in science take place, and that we are never a hindrance or obstacle to that taking place, while at the same time respecting concerns of all Americans as we go down that path.

Senator Coleman of Minnesota has been a tremendous leader in this effort and has brought many of the portions of S. 30 to reality through his research, through his dedication, and through his compassion. As he said so often, he and Senator Harkin and myself understand we can do better, we can do more, we can reach out, and we can do so without crossing those lines that cause us trouble or may become an obstacle to further research.

So I conclude my remarks by thanking my colleagues in the Senate for their patience and their listening over the last 20 hours. My sincere appreciation to Senator Harkin for his cooperation, my praise for Senator Coleman and his contribution, and my hope and belief that Members of the Senate will look favorably on S. 30 so we can move science forward in the research of embryonic stem cells and the hope and promise they bring to all Americans.

I yield back the remainder of the time.

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