News:

8-10-2005
Frist Support Big For Stem Cell Research Bill
Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation Helping lead charge for Senate passage

Frist Support Big For Stem Cell Research Bill

Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation

Helping lead charge for Senate passage

THE SAM SCHMIDT PARALYSIS FOUNDATION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR FORCES PROMOTING PASSAGE OF THE BILL CURRENTLY IN THE U.S. SENATE THAT WOULD INCREASE FEDERAL FUNDING OF STEM CELL RESEARCH. THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO COME UP WHEN THE SENATE ENDS ITS SUMMER RECESS. THE BILL EXTENDS FUNDING TO RESEARCH ON EMBRYONIC STEM CELL LINES THAT WERE NOT IN EXISTENCE IN 2001, WHEN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER LIMITING SUCH RESEARCH WAS ISSUED.

FOLLOWING PASSAGE BY THE SENATE, THE BILL WOULD MOVE TO THE WHITE HOUSE FOR SIGNATURE OR VETO BY PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH. THE ANNOUNCEMENT RECENTLY THAT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BILL FRIST WOULD BREAK WITH OTHER PARTY LEADERSHIP AND VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL WAS A VERY POSITIVE STEP IN ITS PASSAGE.

SAM SCHMIDT OF LAS VEGAS, NEV., IS FOUNDER OF THE SAM SCHMIDT PARALYSIS FOUNDATION (www.samschmidt.org), WHICH HELPS INDIVIDUALS OVERCOME SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND OTHER NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS BY FUNDING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, MEDICAL TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES. THIS RESEARCH ALSO BENEFITS STROKE VICTIMS AND PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH ALS, ALZHEIMER’S, AND PARKINSON’S DISEASES. SSPF ALSO ADDRESSES QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES BENEFITTING PEOPLE WITH PARALYSIS AND OTHER DISABILITIES THROUGH ITS DAY AT THE RACES PROGRAMS AND WORKS TIRELESSLY PROMOTING ADVOCACY CONCERNS.

SCHMIDT, 40, WAS INJURED DURING A CRASH IN TESTING AT ORLANDO, FLA., IN JANUARY, 2000. A WINNING DRIVER ON THE IRL CIRCUIT, SCHMIDT FORMED SAM SCHMIDT MOTORSPORTS, WHICH FIELDED THE #70 ENTRY OF DRIVER RICHIE HEARN IN THIS YEAR’S INDIANAPOLIS 500. HE ALSO OWNS THREE FULL-TIME ENTRIES IN THE MENARDS INFINITI PRO SERIES, WHICH NEXT RUNS AT THE 1.5-MILE KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY THIS WEEKEND. THE TEAM DOMINATED THE 2004 SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP WITH NINE POLES AND SIX VICTORIES.

THOUGHTS OF SAM SCHMIDT:

“This is still an uphill battle but the possibilities for passage grew when Senator Frist joined this progressive move. We think he might be able to get enough votes to overturn what will probably be a veto from President Bush.

“I feel Senator Frist, like a lot of congressmen have done, took a serious look at where the majority of Americans stand on stem cell research and embryonic stem cell research. He is looking at running for President, and he wants those votes when he runs. Other Senators are looking at strong public support for this bill and they, too, see how that is going to affect them at re-election time. The last national survey we saw was in March by Men’s Health Magazine, and it showed 70 percent of Americans supporting the research.

“I understand the pro-choice, pro-life arguments and I can see both sides, and I know there is strong feeling on both sides. But this bill is not a referendum on abortion. This is a decision that will affect millions of people whose lives will be greatly improved by this research. Failure to support it takes away their choice and it tremendously affects their quality of life – pro-choice or pro-life, this bill is a positive step. Just as Senator Frist and other senators are doing, I believe you can be pro-life and still support embryonic stem cell research.

“Before making a decision to vote against the bill, I would encourage each Senator and President Bush to look into the eyes of a young, innocent child who has a disease and then decide not to take the steps needed to find a cure. If this is a moral issue, then we need to ask ourselves - is it morally correct to allow people to face an incredibly horrible death from ALS, Parkinson’s diseases and watch families destroyed because a loved one has Alzheimer’s? Is it morally acceptable for the government to ban this potentially life-saving research for millions of people and offer no hope and no financial help?

“Scientists are looking for direction from the government in placing parameters around this research. They believe, just as I believe, human cloning is unethical and wrong, and they are looking to the government to make it illegal. The embryonic stem cells used for in vetro fertilization clinics, if not frozen for future use, are destroyed. Rather than destroying them, we would suggest allowing the parents the option – the choice – of donating them to medical science, after being fully informed of the potential uses.

“In order to fully advance the science, scientists need to expand both the number of stem cell lines available and the funds for this critical research. If the bill doesn’t pass it will be a tragedy. There are technologies that are promising that are not being pursued by talented and ethical scientists because of ideological and financial constraints.

“The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is doing everything it can to help passage of this bill in the Senate. It is too important to millions of people for us to do anything less.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Williams Company of America, Inc. (704) 660-0796 www.williamscompany.com

Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (317) 236-9999 www.samschmidt.org

SAM SCHMIDT IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS. PLEASE CONTACT RICHARD N. (CHIP) WILLIAMS AT (704) 660-0796.