--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Laura Eckart" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 19:20:47 -0400
Subject: LEGISLATIVE ALERT

LEGISLATIVE ALERT!!

The House Appropriations Committee marked up the Labor-HHS Appropriations
which contained funding for NIH for FY 2002 bill this afternoon.  The
bill
is expected to go to the House floor tomorrow.

The Senate Appropriations Labor- HHS Subcommittee is expected to mark up
the
Labor- HHS Appropriations Bill containing funding for FY 2002 on
Thursday,
October 11th at 11:00 a.m.

We need you to call your Senators now and urge them to support Year Two
of
Parkinson's Research Agenda.  Following is the roster of Senators who are
on
the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee and some "talking points" that
you
can refer to in your phone call to your Senator.

Thank you for your help!!

Laura Eckart

##
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services
and Education is responsible for appropriations for the National
Institutes
of Health (NIH). PAN is seeking $143.5 million for year two of the NIH's
five year Parkinson's Research Agenda.
LAST NAME       FIRST NAME      PARTY   STATE
Cochran Thad            R       MS
Craig           Larry           R       ID
DeWine  Mike            R       OH
Gregg           Judd            R       NH
Harkin          Tom             D       IA
Hollings        Ernest          D       SC
Hutchison       Kay Bailey      R       TX
Inouye          Daniel          D       HI
Kohl            Herbert D       WI
Landrieu        Mary            D       LA
Murray          Patty           D       WA
Reid            Harry           D       NV
Specter Arlen           R       PA
Stevens         Ted             R       AK
Senator Tom Harkin, D-IA, is Chairman and Senator Arlen Specter, R-PA, is
Ranking Member of the Committee.

##
Talking Points
NIH Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002
Background: In mid September, lawmakers  began drafting appropriations
bills for fiscal year 2002, including the bill that funds the National
Institutes Health (NIH). It is crucial for advocates - - in particular
constituents - - to call members of Congress who serve on the
subcommittee
that decides on the funding for NIH to urge them to aggressively fund
Parkinson's Research. We are looking to fund Year-Two of NIH's Five-Year
Parkinson's Research Agenda. The Agenda calls for a $143.5 increase for
Fiscal Year 2002 (Year Two).
Talking Points:
*       [Note: When making calls, always start by identify yourself as a
constituent of the Congressperson's district or Senator's home state.]
*       [Explain your personal connection to Parkinson's disease and how the
disease has affected you and your family.]
*       We are calling today to ask [Congressman/woman or Senator (name)] to
support NIH's Five-Year Research Agenda for Parkinson's. NIH developed
this
Research Agenda by working with our nation's leading scientists. We ask
that
it be fully funded with a $143.5 for Parkinson's research for fiscal year
2002.
*       Our Nation's Scientists are making great progress in Parkinson's
Research. The promise of more effective treatments and a cure has created
tremendous optimism among the Parkinson's community.
*       With adequate funding, the NIH believes a cure for Parkinson's can
be expected in five years. This truly is a matter of life of death for
the
one million Americans who suffer from Parkinson's.
*       Also, investing in a cure for this disease also makes good financial
sense. Parkinson's is estimated to cost the United States $25 billion a
year.
*       To make our goal of finding a cure a reality, we ask
[Congressman/woman or Senator (last name)] to support the doubling of the
NIH's budget and the Parkinson's Research Agenda.
*       Finally, we ask [Congressman/woman or Senator (name)] to provide
leadership in working with the NIH, in order to ensure that the NIH is
aggressively implementing the Parkinson's Research Agenda.
*       Can we count on your support? How does [Congressman/woman or Senator
(name)] intend to vote on this issue?
*       Thank you for your time and consideration. I would like to leave my
name, address and phone number so that I can hear back on this critical
issue.

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