In The News: Cohen, Catucci Attend Stem Cell Bill Ceremony

March 1, 2009

Two years after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease, retired District 2 Vice President Pete Catucci joined CWA President Larry Cohen, lawmakers and American scientists at the White House on March 9 to witness President Barack Obama sign an executive order lifting the Bush-era ban on embryonic stem cell research.

"Stem cell therapy is real," Catucci said. "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 that's blocked so much important research over the past eight years."

Obama greeted Catucci after the signing and wished him well. Since his retirement last year, Catucci has been a tireless fighter to restore federal funds for the potentially life-saving research. Lou Gehrig's Disease, also known as ALS, is a progressive nerve cell disease.