“I felt very much American”

Dom Manalo, PhD

As a molecular biologist and postdoctoral fellow in 2001, it was the threat of the ban on embryonic stem cell research by George W. Bush that awakened me to his dangerous agenda. Bush set forth a policy to undermine science in this country. It particularly provoked me into citizen activism; and I visited Congress in July 2001, along with a contingent of other graduate students to appeal before our Representatives for greater appropriations in NIH research funding.

Wes Clark has been a very vocal advocate for science and technology, and I knew that he would help restore the integrity of our institution. By 2003, I joined a group of concerned citizens who were part of the Draft Clark movement in order to help elect him. Most of them confided that they had never participated in politics before. We all had a common cause, and, in Wes Clark, we had someone to believe in who would take up that cause.

I had unlimited energy that was inspired through his leadership and our common cause. Letter writing, sign waves, weekend trips to Delaware, phone banking and Meetups-we were all new to this, it was exciting and we learned a lot, not just about Wes Clark, but about why we fight together for common causes.

I felt very much, American.