Remarks By Representative Diana Degette (D-CO) at the Democratic National Convention

Federal News Service July 27, 2004 Tuesday

HEADLINE: REMARKS BY REPRESENTATIVE DIANA DEGETTE (D-CO) AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

BODY:

(Cheers, applause.)

REP. DEGETTE: Fellow delegates, friends and Colorado delegates, we stand on the verge of making possible medical miracles long thought impossible. Thanks to advances in biomedicine, especially embryonic stem cell research, we have the opportunity to save the lives of millions of Americans who suffer from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, nerve damage and other illnesses.

Stem cell research has been embraced by liberals and conservatives, by those who are pro-choice and those who are pro-life. Yet despite this support, hope has been denied to millions for the last three years. Some would rather put politics before sound science-science that can and will improve American lives.

We must provide the government support necessary for stem cell research, instead of heeding the call of political extremism over scientific exploration.

Our government was created by and for the people. Manipulation of science for political goals fails that goal. That is why more than 60 of our nation's top scientists, including 48 Nobel prize winners, are speaking up. They're warning that we cannot politicize science when we plan policy on global warming, on emergency contraception and on embryonic stem cell research. They see in John Kerry and John Edwards the hope that science will once again come first, that policy that will come before politics, and that lives will be saved.

Limitations on scientific progress must end, and they must end now. It is time for our government to help and not hinder life-saving medical research.

It is time for America to have a president who puts scientific discovery ahead of political calculation. (Cheers.) That president is John Kerry. As a veteran, a prosecutor and a senator, John Kerry has shown by example how government service can better the lives of all of our citizens. John Kerry understands that for America to regain its moral leadership in research, we must put the full weight of the government behind scientific discovery.

We do not have four more years to waste. America demands leaders who put our nation's best interests ahead of their political self- interest.

Only one man in this race has spent his entire career working to make our nation stronger and safer for every American. And that is why, my friends, John Kerry will be the next president of the United States.

Thank you. (Cheers, applause.)