Cohen, Catucci Attend White House Signing on Stem Cell Research

Retired District 2 Vice President Pete Catucci joins House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and CWA President Cohen at the White House as President Obama lifts the ban on federal funds for critical stem cell research.

CWA President Larry Cohen and retired District 2 Vice President Pete Catucci joined members of Congress, scientists, and others at the White House as President Barack Obama signed an executive order that removed restrictions on responsible scientific research involving embryonic stem cells.

The action reverses the Bush adminstration's limits on federal funding for this critical research. "It's time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and work to restore America's place as the world leader in science and technology," Obama said.

After the signing, President Obama greeted Catucci and wished him well. Catucci was diagnosed with ALS, known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in early 2007. Since stepping down as a CWA leader in 2008, he has been a tireless fighter to restore federal funds for this effort.

Catucci said, "stem cell therapy is real. It's time the United States caught up with the rest of the world and moved forward. I am grateful to President Obama for reversing the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research that's blocked so much important research over the past eight years."

Cohen said that the action "marks the triumph of sound science over attempts to politicize this and other life-saving research. Now we have a real opportunity to develop effective therapies that will improve the lives of millions of people."

President Obama also signed a Presidential Memorandum to restore "scientific integrity in government decision making."