[extropy-chat] Alcor Emergency

[Stephen J. Van Sickle]

Forward:


Alcor sincerely thanks its members for doing a great job contacting the 
Representatives of Arizona in opposition to HB2637.  Apparently, as a 
result of our collective deluge, we have overwhelmed the system.  Our 
numbers maybe low, but we have clearly made a statement to the 
Representative of Arizona.  At this point, we ask you to discontinue
making phone calls or sending email and faxes, unless you hear otherwise
from Alcor.

Thank you for you support,

Alcor Foundation









On Wed, 2004-03-10 at 19:51, Stephen J. Van Sickle wrote:
> 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
> 
> 
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