Bart Stupak: “It was an honor and a privilege to join with over 100 of my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, and four U.S.…”

“It was an honor and a privilege to join with over 100 of my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, and four U.S. presidents to dedicate the William J. Clinton Library in Little Rock, Arkansas. All of the four presidents spoke eloquently. I was especially moved by the words of former President George W. Bush when he said it not a Democrat or Republican day, but it was a great day for all Americans. I joined President Clinton in the 1992 election here in Washington to represent northern Michigan to do, as President Clinton challenged us then, to put people first. I have learned and tried to do that each day as a Congressman. I learned this not just from President Clinton but from my own father who was a local elected official in Delta County, Michigan. I come tonight to put people first, to put our children first as I continue to speak out against the acne drug Accutane. As a legislator, I have called for more restrictions on the distribution and use of this drug, which is known to cause severe birth defects and a form of impulsive behavior and depression in young people taking this drug. This drug has devastated my family with the loss of our son BJ and more than 250 other families who have lost their young son or daughter across this Nation who have lost them while they were taking Accutane.”