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message from John Rogers, Advocacy Director, Parkinson's Action Network [ He is referring to Perry Cohen's message, 4/30/01, Subject: Full Funding for the NIH Parkinson's Research Agenda] Earlier this week you were asked to contact your member of Congress in support of the letter by the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's in support of NIH funding as part of the labor HHS appropriations Bill. If you've already done this, thank you. If not please do so as soon as you can. Time is of the essence here. In addition, when you are communicating with your Congressional office, it would be much appreciated if you would also ask for their support of the Department of Defense Neurotics Exposure Treatment (NETRP). This is a very robust program that the Congressional Working Group is also supporting. Today they sent Chairman Jerry Lewis and Congressman John Murtha a letter requesting funding. We want your representatives to contact Mr. Lewis and Murtha's office in support of the request. Below are the letters that were sent to Misters Lewis and Murtha. We want to reiterate the importance of contacting your Congressperson. Hearing from people who have Parkinson's, their families and friends is the most effective way to get support. SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TAKE THE TIME TO CALL OR WRITE. Again for your convenience, the Congressional switchboard number is 202-224-3121. If you wish to write your Congressperson you can use the following format: Representative _________________ U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 If you don't know the name of your member of Congress, please feel free to call the Parkinson's Action Network Washington office at 703-518-8600. The phone will be answered by PACE-Capstone as that is the office where PAN will be located in the Washington area. Ask for Erik or Laura and they'd be happy to help. Thank you again for your time and effort. John Rogers, Advocacy Director Parkinson's Action Network ****************************** [FYI: letter from the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's Disease] May 1, 2001 The Honorable Jerry Lewis, Chairman Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense The Honorable John Murtha, Ranking Member Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense H-149 Capitol Building/ 1016 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Lewis/Congressman Murtha, As leaders of the House Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's Disease, we applaud your Subcommittee's past commitment to the US Army Medical Research and Material Command's Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program (NETRP), and urge you to appropriate $50 million for the program in FY 2002. Your Subcommittee established the NETRP in FY 1997 to investigate the mechanisms and treatments of neurodegenerative disease -- with specific emphasis on Parkinson's disease -- to prevent, detect, and treat environmental toxicity that may result from exposure to military threat agents and operational hazards. This unique program evaluates proposals through a rigorous peer review process while considering potential military relevance -- avoiding inefficiency and delivering the vast majority of its federal funding to research rather than administration. Parkinson's disease is only one focus of the Military Operational Medicine research program at the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) that benefits our servicemen and women. The understanding of triggers for Parkinson's and related neurodegenerative diseases in susceptible individuals is of great importance to protecting the health of military men and women. In operational environments, young men and women are exposed to a wide range of chemicals, radiofrequency radiation, and other stressors that may be significant in promoting disease many years later. Knowledge of how this disease occurs and how it may be effectively managed and possibly cured provides the DoD with information on how to protect soldiers through appropriate materiel design, avoidance of unnecessary harmful exposures, and prevention with neuroprotective drugs. Sensitive diagnostic methods that provide earlier detection of nerve cell loss also provide early indications of operationally-relevant impairments of soldier performance. Novel treatments that prove effective in preserving or restoring nerve cell function will transition rapidly to NIH clinical trials. Discovery of modes of injury and harmful environmental exposures that promote nerve cell dysfunction will also assist NIEHS and EPA for development of appropriate health risk assessment methods. The heroes who battle Parkinson's disease on a daily basis also benefit from research conducted through the NETRP. Scientists from leading universities across the country are engaged in exciting and productive research supported by the NETRP. For example, the NETRP-funded scientists are focusing on: -- Mechanisms of damage and protection against neural cell death; -- Development and validation of new approaches to neuropsychological testing to improve early detection of neurodegenerative diseases; -- New therapeutic strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease; -- Influence of environmental factors. Only through increased funding of excellent research such as this can we hope to solve the mysteries surrounding the causes of neurodegeneration and find optimal strategies for treatment and prevention. In the last two years, the NERTP has funded over $60 million in peer review grants. There is tremendous excitement in the scientific community about this program -- but researchers describe immense frustration with the halting pace of research breakthroughs as a result of inadequate funding. Clearly, now is the time to invest in expanding the NETRP. Our request of $50 million is based upon solid analysis by those associated with the program. We offer the strongest support for funding the Department of Defense peer-reviewed Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program at $50 million for fiscal year 2002. We commend your leadership in ensuring that this essential program expands to fulfill its promise of prevention and treatment for soldiers and victims of Parkinson's and other neurological disorders. The war on disabling neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's is one that we can and must win. Sincerely, Lane Evans Member of Congress Carolyn Maloney Member of Congress Fred Upton Member of Congress cc: Rep. Joe Skeen Jessica Robinson Legislative Assistant Office of Congressman Lane Evans 2211 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-5905 202-225-5396 (fax) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn