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HOUSTON (October 30, 2012):  The following statement was released by 40 renowned scientists and physicians seeking a new direction in Congress.  They have found that new direction in James Cargas, the challenger in Congressional District 7.

Cargas has been a long-time advocate of returning federal science funding to levels similar to that of the Clinton Administration as a way to support our Texas Medical Center and keep good knowledge-based jobs in Houston.  Sustainable funding will also allow America to regain its lead in science and innovation, and develop new medicines, new treatments, and new medical technologies.  The endorsements have been primarily in response to Cargas releasing his plan.

Even more scientists, researchers and physicians have shown their support of James Cargas through an on-line petition.

Statement by Houston Scientists and Physicians in Support of James Cargas

Voters must decide: Should we continue to defund our nation’s scientific and biomedical research programs, or should we restore the longstanding policies that have been an economic success and made Houston a world leader in science and biotechnology?

Our endorsement of James Cargas for Congressional District 7 is based on a simple choice: Houston deserves someone that will protect and strengthen vital research funding.

Throughout their crusade to “starve the beast” and reduce the size of government, Congressional Tea Party extremists, including John Culberson, have cut funding for scientific and medical research. A few “earmarks” to pet projects do not make up for the jobs or millions lost. Federal grants are awarded based on tough peer review; they are not handouts to political favorites. We have witnessed the disastrous consequences of highly rated research projects going unfunded and labs getting closed.

By failing to even allow for inflation adjustments to federal funding, the Tea Party puts their ideological goals ahead of common-sense policies that save lives, create jobs and support the economy. In Texas, every $1.00 spent on research generates $2.49 in economic development – including good knowledge-based jobs.

James Cargas understands all this. Cargas’ proposal is to restore funding to the previous Clinton administration levels and increase funding by 7.5 percent annually thereafter. This proposal will get the Texas Medical Center off life support, reverse the layoffs, and allow it to maintain its world-class status. Therefore, we as Houston scientists and physicians, strongly support James Cargas. Please be sure to vote.

Signed,

Dr. Michael S. Beauchamp, Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy

Dr. Eric Bershad, Assistant Professor of Neurology

Dr. Melissa Bondy, Professor of Epidemiology

Dr. William Brinkley, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology

Dr. Suncica Canic, Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Charles Cleeland, Professor of Cancer Research

Dr. Steven Cox, Professor of Computational and Applied Mathematics

Dr. Robert Curl, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Professor of Natural Sciences Emeritus

Dr. J. David Dickman, Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. Manolis Doxastakis, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Dr. William Doyon, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. Fabrizio Gabbiani, Associate Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. Andy Groves, Associate Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. Joanna Jankowsky, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. Kresimir Josic, Associate Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Ioannis Kakadiaris, Professor of Computer Science

Dr. Weiji Ma, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. Mirjana Maletic-Savatic, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Stephen McCauley, Assistant Professor

Dr. Nicholas Mitsiades, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Molecular and Cellular Biology

Dr. Mary Newsome, Assistant Professor

Dr. William Ott, Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Emmanuel Papadakis, Associate Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Claudia Pedroza, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Robert Raphael, Associate Professor of Bioengineering

Dr. Peter Saggau, Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. David Shine, Associate Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. Harel Shouval, Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy

Dr. Stelios M. Smirnakis, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Neurology

Dr. Jose Suarez, Professor of Neurology

Dr. Andreas Tolias, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. Kimberley Tolias, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience

Dr. Nikos Tsekos, Associate Professor of Computer Science

Dr. Eroboghene E. Ubogu, Associate Professor of Neurology

Dr. Chethan P. Venkatasubba Rao, Assistant Professor of Neurology

Dr. Xin Shelley Wang, Associate Professor of Cancer Medicine

Dr. Elisabeth Wilde, Assistant Professor

Dr. Anthony Wright, Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy

Dr. Marwan Yared, Professor of Pathology

Dr. Jokubas Ziburkus, Assistant Professor of Biology and Biochemistry

Houston Deserves Better!

James Cargas offers substantial public service experience. He has served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a deputy press secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as a law clerk, Clinton White House as an aide, and U.S. Department of Energy under Secretary Bill Richardson as a political appointee. He is currently the Senior Assistant City Attorney for Energy for the City of Houston. James and his wife, Dr. Dorina Papageorgiou, a neuroscientist are members of the Greek Orthodox Annunciation Cathedral.