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Thursday, 05/31/01 Rochelle discloses he has Parkinson's By BONNA de la CRUZ Staff Writer Sen. Bob Rochelle, the state Senate speaker pro tem and leading advocate for a state income tax, has disclosed to colleagues that he has Parkinson's disease. ''Even though I have been given this diagnosis, I will continue to represent my constituents and fight for what is right for them and the state of Tennessee,'' Rochelle wrote in a letter to the other 32 senators. In the letter, Rochelle, the second-highest ranking member of the Senate, said he is in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, a slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disease that causes a loss of muscle control. Rochelle, 55, said he had noticed tremors in his right arm over the past several years. A Democrat who represents Wilson, Trousdale and Smith counties and a part of Davidson County, Rochelle has served in the Senate since 1983 and is considered one of the state's most powerful lawmakers. ''With proper medication, I should be able to keep it under control for quite some time,'' the letter said. Rochelle pointed to former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, now a possible candidate for governor in Florida, and actor Michael J. Fox as examples of people who have shown that the disease is manageable. Rochelle's term expires after next year, and he has said he would assess whether to seek re-election closer to that time. ''I look forward to continuing my service with Bob as he fights this illness and proves he is the survivor that I know him to be,'' said Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Goodlettsville, Democratic Caucus chairman. http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/01/04/05381110.shtml?Element_ID=5381110 ******** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn