Senate Bill 596 won approval from both the Senate and House, but a Democratic filibuster launched by Senator Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) in the final moments of the session prevented final passage of the bill. Miffed about an issue related to Fulton County parks, Senator Fort took the well shortly after 11:30 p.m. and obstinately refused to yield for any business other than a motion to adjourn sine die. Although it is seldom clear to me what Senator Fort is trying to accomplish when he takes the well, his filibuster had the effect of killing Senate Bill 596 by blocking consideration of a motion to reconcile minor differences between the House and Senate versions.

The failure of Senate Bill 596 was an enormous disappointment, but Georgia is fortunate to have a compassionate Governor who understands the importance of innovation in health care and who is committed to making Georgia a center of ethical scientific research. On Friday, Governor Sonny Perdue signed an Executive Order creating the Governor's Commission on Umbilical Cord Blood Research and Treatment. His order adopts the findings of fact from Senate Bill 596 and administratively creates the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank. Keone's Law

David looks on as Governor Perdue signs the executive order administratively implementing Senate Bill 596.

The signing ceremony fittingly took place at Children's Health Care of Atlanta. One of the hospital's former patients, a Gwinnett County boy named Keone Penn, was the inspiration for Senate Bill 596. Keone was cured of sickle cell anemia by a then experimental treatment involving the stem cell from a donated umbilical cord. Senate Bill 596 had been named "Keone's Law" in his honor.

The stem cell that saved Keone Penn came from an umbilical cord donated in 1992 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. It was not an exact match, but after a year long search, doctors told Keone's mother that it was the best they could do. Within days of the stem cells being injected into Keone's bone marrow, his blood type changed from O to B, and the sickle cell disappeared.

Today, Keone is a twenty year old man, a high school graduate and a cashier at Goodwill Industries. He suffered organ damage from the change in his blood type, but his body is free of sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell is not the only disease cured by nonembryonic stem cells. Research with stem cells derived from postnatal sources has produced treatments or cures for over 65 injuries and diseases, including leukemia and lymphoma.

Under Keone's Law, and under Governor Perdue's new executive order, the next sick child in Georgia needing a stem cell treatment will not have to go out of state or settle for a cell that does not quite match. Thanks to Governor Perdue, the precious gift that every baby brings into the world will be collected, stored and put to good use curing disease.

Playing Politics

From the moment I introduced Senate Bill 596, I have been sorely disappointed by the response of Senate Democrats. First, they accused us of "stealing" their ideas. (Trust me, there are no stem cell scientists in the Senate Democratic Caucus.) They then tried to attach "poison pill" amendments about fetal and embryonic research that would have killed the bill. Then, in the final moments of the session, they filibustered Senate Bill 596 to death. Now, they are attacking Governor Perdue's executive order, saying it does not "do enough." Of course, had it been left to the Democrats, nothing would have been done at all.

Point of Personal Privilege

I want to take a moment to thank Dr. Gerry Sotomayor, founder of the Babies for Life Foundation, who first drew my attention to the medical value of umbilical cord blood. He has been a great teacher, a boundless source of encouragement and a tremendous help to me. I encourage you to visit his website at www.babiesforlife.org for more information about umbilical cord blood donation.

On this very special day of renewal, I wish you all the best. May God bless you and your family!

David Shafer