Chris Smith: “Margaret Hahn--my mother-in- law--passed away on Friday and a Mass of Christian burial will be held today at St. Mary…”

“Margaret Hahn--my mother-in- law--passed away on Friday and a Mass of Christian burial will be held today at St. Mary Church in South Amboy, New Jersey. She was 96 and was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. Margaret--Peg--was a great woman--wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She selflessly devoted her life to public service including her amazing work as Sayreville Borough Clerk for twenty years. She had an incredible reputation for getting things done for the people. No matter who served as mayor or on Council, everyone knew she was the power. My wife Marie and I will join family and friends today at her funeral and internment making it impossible for me to speak today during the debate on the reauthorization of a law I originally authored fifteen years ago--the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005--and the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2015. So, I submit these comments for the Record: Madam Speaker, today the House of Representatives will vote to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act. This was an original idea of mine 20 years ago. Joined by 70 cosponsors, I introduced it in 2001 and again in 2003. After five long years of hard work and numerous setbacks, my bill was finally enacted into law in 2005. Beginning in 2001, Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, who is President of the Cord Blood Association, helped draft my original law. Dr.…”