[extropy-chat] Alcor Emergency

[Stephen J. Van Sickle]

http://alcor.org/legislativealert.html


March 10, 5:40 PM

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. 

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/MemberRoster.asp?Body=H&SortBy=1

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!

Joseph Waynick
CEO/President 
Alcor Life Extension Foundation