Cliff Stearns: “It transfers 5 percent of the fiscal year 2004 funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service's…”

“It transfers 5 percent of the fiscal year 2004 funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service's AmeriCorps grants to the Veterans Health Administration, Medical and Prosthetic Research. I think, Mr. Chairman, I would summarize my amendment basically as one of priorities. It is interesting on July 27 now, we are going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Perhaps this is a perfect time for all of my colleagues to think about the priorities relative to this anniversary of the Korean War. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a history of producing beneficial research in medicine and prosthetics, the latter of which will be sadly in demand as amputated veterans return from Iraq. Arguing for the transfer of these funds is based upon, I think, the accomplishments of the VA research department. Perhaps many Members do not realize it has produced three Nobel Prize winners, developed the cardiac pacemaker, conducted the first successful drug treatments for high blood pressure and schizophrenia, is undergoing trials of a smallpox treatment in mice, and developed the technology that recently enabled paralyzed actor Christopher Reeve to regain the ability to breathe on his own temporarily. The money is going to go to this research. They have a history, Mr. Chairman, of success.”