X-Message-Number: 23591
From: "Michael P. Read" <>
Subject: Emergency Legislative Response -- Anti Alcor Bill
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 20:59:41 -0700

Well, looks like being honorable with Rep. Stump didn't work.  He's
trying to screw us over by attempting to pass the anti-alcor bill as he
originally wrote it instead of with the changes and amendments that he
agreed publicly to put in.  We acted on good faith and he screwed us
over.  The vote will probably be Tomorrow (11 Apr 2004).  So, if you
plan on doing anything, please let it be soon.

Mike Read
Tempe, Ariz., USA

>To All Alcor Members and Supporters:
>
>Up to this point, Alcor has negotiated in good faith with
Representative 
>Stump, attempting to draft legislation that would address his concerns
for 
>the protection of the citizens of Arizona as well as protect the rights
of 
>our members and patients. Mr. Stump has repeatedly delayed negotiations

>while working the legislature to gather votes to bring the bill to the 
>house floor without our support. In open committee, Mr. Stump pledged
to 
>work with us to create statutory definitions for cryonics and to define

>the scope of oversight by the Funeral Board under a separate entity.
>
>In good faith, we came together with the Arizona Funeral Board and
reached 
>agreement on the substance of the areas for which they oversight is 
>required. Both Rudy Thomas and Randy Bunker attended our board meeting
and 
>confirmed that there were no substantial issues preventing us from 
>executing an agreement without delay.
>
>In spite of our conciliatory actions and assumption of good intentions
on 
>the part of Representative Stump, he has decided to move forward with a

>House vote on his bill TOMORROW (Thursday) without allowing the
affected 
>parties to complete negotiations. Apparently, it doesn't matter to him 
>that the primary parties impacted by this legislation agree that
passing 
>new law is unnecessary when an administrative solution can easily be 
>achieved. Nor does it seem to matter to him that his bill is also
strongly 
>opposed by other organ donation groups, including the local Science
Care, 
>the Organ Donation Network, Life Legacy, and others. Furthermore, the 
>University of Arizona, Midwestern University, and other academic 
>organizations will be negatively impacted by this hasty legislation.
>
>I have instructed Barry Aarons to cease attempting to engage 
>Representative Stump and to implore every member of the House to vote 
>against this bill. At this time, we are asking all of our supporters to

>contact each Representative in the House and urge them to vote against 
>this bill. Remember, it is not just members of the Health Committee who

>need to be contacted, but EVERY REPRESENTATIVE IN THE 
>HOUSE!  Important:  please use the BCC: field for these mailings, so
that 
>each legislator feels more of a sense of personal contact.
>
>Once again, I have attached our talking points and a letter format for
you 
>to use. Please eMail, fax, and CALL each house member to urge them to
VOTE 
>NO ON HB 2637 (embalmers; funeral establishments; storing remains).
Tell 
>them your personal story and how this bill puts your life in jeopardy. 
>TELL THEM THAT NEITHER ALCOR, THE FUNERAL BOARD, OR THE ORGAN DONATION 
>NETWORK WANTS THIS BILL TO PASS!!!  We believe the vote is tomorrow, 
>Thursday, March 11th. You must act immediately if you are to have an
impact.
>
>Alcor tried to do the right thing. We accepted Representative Stump's
word 
>that he wished to work out a solution. It was he who did not act in
good 
>faith, not Alcor. Your support is urgently needed to stop HB 2637
before 
>it passes to the Senate and we have to begin negotiating anew. It's
time 
>to show him that we mean business!
>
>--jw
>CEO/President
>Alcor Life Extension Foundation
>
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
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>
>http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/advisors

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