THE WEEK IN REVIEW

SB 596 “Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank”

This bill passed out of the Science and Technology Committee last week and will be heard on the floor of the Senate on Monday.  It will require doctors to inform their expectant mothers of the option to donate postnatal tissue (umbilical cord, placenta) to a blood bank in order to harvest stem cells from them for research.

The most promising science and research for treatment and cures for illnesses is from adult stem cells and stem cells from umbilical cords and placentas.  To date, there has not been one case study documenting any results for treatment and/or cures from embryonic stem cells.  Whereas, in a case study of 285 patients with sickle-cell anemia, 85% of those who received adult stem cells and/or stem cells from umbilical cords and placenta have been cured – with no sign of ever having the disease.

Senator David Shafer has carried this bill which promotes the ethical and moral way to do research, and is to be commended.  It is expected to pass the Senate on Monday, but if you want to touch base with your Senator just to be sure he/she will support this important bill, you can get their contact info by going to our web site www.gachristiancoalition.org

CHOOSE LIFE LICENSE PLATE PASSES HOUSE

Finally!  After two years of trying to get this specialty tag to be offered to the public, HB 1053 has passed the House by a vote of 145-16.  This bill will ensure (after 1,000 people commit to buy one) that the state will manufacture the plate.  This bill now goes to the Senate where we only need a simple majority for it to pass.

In addition, HR 1564 passed 126-29 and this resolution allows revenue from the sale of specialty plates to be shared with non-profit organizations such as Crisis Pregnancy Centers.  The Resolution now goes to the Senate where we need 2/3 majority to pass.

Please contact your Senator and urge him/her to vote for both HB 1053 and HR 1564.  For contact info go to www.gachristiancoalition.org

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PASSES

State troopers and other public safety officers would get their first significant raise in at least a decade under the $18.65 billion budget that passed in the House on Wednesday. Lawmakers approved a pay boost of up to 7 percent for state law enforcement, saying their salaries lag behind those in other states and even many local police departments. All state employees are receiving a raise of between 2 and 4 percent this year. The budget bill, which passed Wednesday by a vote of 164-3, would add another 3 percent for Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents, state troopers, prison guards and parole officers.

SENATOR CHIP ROGER’S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BILL PASSES THE SENATE

After months of sometimes contentious debate, a bill cracking down on illegal immigrants in Georgia cleared the state Senate on Wednesday with relatively few verbal fireworks.  The effort, which denies state services to adults living in the state illegally and provides sanctions for companies that knowingly employ illegals, passed 40-13 in the Republican-controlled chamber after about two hours of debate.

Senator Rogers deserves a thank you from Georgians who are citizens and for those who have come here legally.  If you would like to write him his email address is ChipRogers21@comcast.net

NATIONALLY

ISAKSON INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SECURE AMERICA’S BORDERS

On Thursday, March 9, 2006 U. S. Senator Johnny Isakson introduced legislation to provide increased manpower, equipment and technology to secure the U. S. border and stop the influx of illegal immigration.

Isakson’s bill would authorize 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents annually through fiscal year 2011.  This would be in addition to the 2,000 agents per year that were authorized in 2004, bringing the total to 3,500 new agents annually.

It would also authorize $1 billion in new funding for the acquisition and maintenance of equipment to secure the border, including remote video surveillance, all-terrain and sport utility vehicles, firearms and night vision technology.  The legislation provides for several other ways to secure our borders.  

“We are a nation of immigrants, and we should honor every legal immigrant who is here and encourage them to become citizens,” Isakson said.  “However, we are also a nation of laws.  We can no longer delay in dealing with the single largest domestic issue to the people of the United States of America.

To read more about this legislation go to http://Isakson.senate.gov

LAWMAKER SEEKS BORDER TROOPS.

The Washington Times (2/18, Seper) reports, "A Georgia Republican says President Bush needs to immediately order at least 36,000 federal troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to stop a flood of illegal aliens. ‘There's no excuse for this. We know right now how to bring this flood of illegal immigration to a virtual halt within the next two weeks,’ Rep. Charlie Norwood said during a House floor speech this week. ‘We need somewhere between 36,000 and 48,000 troops immediately deployed to the southern border. We need the president to order the Department of Defense to fund the mission 100 percent,’ Mr. Norwood said. ‘And we need new legislation forcing the issue if action is not forthcoming.’ … Right now, with our current budget and reform plans, we are by default agreeing to allow an additional 4 million illegal aliens into our country, the equivalent of the entire population of South Carolina.’

Thank you for Keeping The Faith.
Sadie Fields