New Haven, Conn., June 15, 2005 - Governor Jodi M. Rell of Connecticut signed into law today legislation supporting embryonic stem cell research and earmarking $100 million in funding for such research. Paul R. Pescatello, president and chief executive office of CURE (Connecticut United for Research Excellence) issued the following remarks at the signing ceremony:

"This is a great day for Connecticut bioscience. Enactment of this legislation marks a significant step forward for those suffering from a host of diseases and conditions. It is also a further step toward attracting substantial investment and high-paying jobs to Connecticut.

"With President Bush set to veto any expansion of federally funded embryonic stem cell research, it will be up to the states and to private investors to fund additional research in the area. By signing this bill into law, Governor Rell has catapulted Connecticut into the vanguard as a state that not only welcomes embryonic stem cell research but supports it financially.

"CURE was an important resource in researching and drafting the legislation and the catalyst that brought together the coalition that worked for its passage. I'm proud to represent bioscience in a state where the Governor and legislators on both sides of the aisle are so willing to work together to do the right thing."

CURE (http://www.curenet.org) is a statewide coalition of over 100 educational and research institutions, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and other supporting businesses. It is dedicated to promoting the growth and increasing public understanding of biomedical research and science in Connecticut.

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