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It was my pleasure to be with Governor Sonny Perdue at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on Friday, April 14, 2006, as he – by executive order – created the Commission for Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Research and Medical Treatment.  This commission will establish a network of postnatal tissue and fluid banks in partnership with universities, hospitals, nonprofit organizations and private firms in for the purpose of collecting and storing postnatal tissue and fluid.  In the Governor’s remarks he said, “Collecting nonembryonic stem cells from umbilical cord blood is safe, painless and risk-free.  Cord blood treatments are an ethically responsible way to relieve suffering and save lives.”

You may recall this legislation sponsored by Senator David Shafer failed to make the midnight deadline on the final day of the legislature due to a filibuster in the well of the Senate by Senator Vincent Fort.  It is my understanding Senator Vincent Fort refused to yield the well so that this bill could be voted on at that time.  As a result, we lost a very important piece of legislation that furthers research in a moral and ethical way.  But, our Governor stepped in and made it right.  How wonderful to have a Governor who takes the initiative, when the legislature fails to do so and makes this pro-research measure a reality.

On Thursday, I had the honor to be in the Governor’s office as he signed into law the Bible bill and the bill that will allow the Ten Commandments to be posted in public buildings.

The Bible bill, sponsored by Senator Tommie Williams and Representative Tommie Smith in the House will allow the Bible to be taught in a constitutional manner so as to allow high school students in the public schools the opportunity to study the history and literature of the Bible as an elective.  Our founding fathers thought one had not received a well rounded education without the study of the scriptures.  The Bible has influenced so many cultures and governments that it is time it becomes a part of the electives we offer in ’s public schools.

And, I trust it will encourage all of you in my email family to be sure your friends and family are registered to vote.  As Edmund Burke said, “All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to remain silent.”  In our Representative Republic the way we make our voices heard is at the polls.  Let’s speak loud and clear in this 2007 election cycle by getting all you know registered to vote and then to cast our vote for candidates who love our God and our country.