[See Chronology of Attempted 2004 Cryonics Legislation
in Arizona]
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS LEGISLATIVE ALERT IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT;
IT IS REPRODUCED HERE FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES]
MARCH 11, 2004, 11:40 AM MST UPDATE
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 small, but we have
clearly made a statement to the Representatives 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 your support,
Alcor Foundation
MARCH 10, 2004, 5:40 PM
EMERGENCY LEGISLATIVE ALERT
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 thought 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.
Once again, I have attached some of our original talking
points, and below is a sample letter. 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.
SEE ALSO THIS NEW MEMO
FROM OUR LOBBYIST BARRY AARONS.
Joseph Waynick
CEO/President
Alcor Life Extension Foundation
USE THIS AS A GUIDE ONLY. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE
Dear Members of the House of Representatives,
Alcor Life Extension Foundation urges you to vote NO on HB2637. This bill
is a solution without a problem.
While we had hoped that the sponsor would provide amendments including appropriate
definitions of cryonics and appropriate reference for registration of a cryonics
establishment with the Funeral Board, those amendments were not forthcoming.
Even without any new legislation, even without the passage of HB2637, the Funeral
Board and Alcor Life Extension Foundation have a verbal understanding that assures
the Funeral Board will conduct oversight of Alcor's records to ensure that Alcor
maintains the dignity of its patients. In turn, the Funeral Board has agreed
to sign a non-disclosure statement which assures Alcor that it's patients records
will be kept confidential.
The Funeral Board and Alcor have come to this decision amicably. There is no
need for this legislation!
We urge you to vote NO on HB2637. This bill is a solution without a problem.
Respectfully,
Barry M. Aarons
The Aarons Company
331 North First Avenue, Suite 250 Phoenix, AZ 85003
602.253.1821 (p) 602.452.2929 (f) 602.315.0155(c)
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