[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11] [House] [Page 15044] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]{time} 1030 EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH DESERVES FEDERAL FUNDING (Mr. CLAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to reject the cynical attempt to politicize a critical health care issue that offers hope to millions of Americans, embryonic stem cell research. Last year a bipartisan coalition in this House voted for hope, and we should not abandon that today. In my State almost 1 million people suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and spinal cord injuries, and I will not turn my back on them. Expanding Federal support for stem cell research is also vital to helping America maintain our leadership in medicine and the life sciences. And for minorities and lower-income Americans who suffer from higher rates of chronic diseases, embryonic stem cell research could unlock the secrets to closing the health care disparities gap. The American people support this research because they know that someone they love will be helped. We should not sacrifice that hope on the altar of partisan politics. ____________________