thanks, Ken, you've really summed up what a lot of us are feeling.  We've
also been thinking about how sad and a little ironic it is that Mo, who was
a rallying point for so long, has slipped away quietly just as Michael J.
Fox is emerging as a fresh figure to serve our shared cause.  Maybe the
holidays are making me philosophical, but I find this coincidence something
worth pondering

Carole Cassidy.

-----Original Message-----
From: ken aidekman [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 2:23 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
Subject: "Mo" in Memorium


Morris K. Udall
1922-1998


For most, 'Mo' Udall will be remembered as the Congressman from the state
of Arizona with the marvelous sense of humor; a striking, determined figure
who championed environmental causes, stood up for the rights of the common
man and all the while maintained his honor, setting the highest standards
of bipartisanship, fairness and good will.  But, for people with
Parkinson's and their loved ones, Mo Udall's legacy will forever include a
piece of legislation that he did not write or nurture through Congress: The
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research and Education Act.  Even after his
retirement from public office his enduring good name did much to bring
about a brighter future for millions of Americans.

Many people worked long and hard to pass the Udall Bill.  At times it
seemed as if the battle would be lost.  But just at the lowest point a
former colleague might mention the great esteem he or she held for Mo.  Or
maybe a legislative aide would recount a joke or clever story they had once
heard him tell.  We began to understand the depth of love that remained for
Mo Udall in our nation's capital years after his public service had ended.


We may not have known Mo personally but his presence was palpable.  As we
learned more and more about his accomplishments and strength of character
his persona became a rallying point.  He put a familiar face on our common
cause.  We implored others to "Do it for Mo."  We began to look on him with
the pride one feels for a hometown friend who has made good.  He was more
than just a well-known Congressman with PD.  Mo's reputation was such that
whatever the contents of the bill it was important to work on it  because
his name was attached to it.

Perhaps it is unfair to forever link the "Udall" name with "Parkinson's".
After all, Mo's life was much more than the malady he fought for two
decades.  But for the Parkinson's community, the Mo Udall Act has come to
represent something greater than a simple act to authorize spending.  It
stands for our hard-learned education in the practical use of political
action to accomplish just goals.  These goals included getting our elected
representatives to recognize the immense problem Parkinson's poses for
America and convincing them to dedicate a fair share of our nation's
resources to finding a cure.  Surely Mo would not object to the association
of his name with a noble cause such as this.

Thanks, Mo.

Our hearts go out to the Udall family.




-Ken Aidekman

Visit the Parkinson's Unity Walk website:  www.parkinsonwalk.org

Fund the Research.  Find the Cure.