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--------- Forwarded message from Parkinson's Action Network ---------- From: "Laura Eckart" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2001 10:22:11 -0400 Subject: Legislative Alert!! DoD Appropriations!! WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW! By Mid-September, lawmakers will have drafted appropriations bills for fiscal year 2002, including funding for the Department of Defense (DoD). The Department of Defense appropriations bill contains funding for the Army Program for Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program (NETRP). This excellent program investigates the causes and looks for ways to treat and prevent Parkinson's and other nuerodegenerative diseases. As you know, it is critical for advocates - in particular constituents - to call and write to Members of Congress who serve on the Appropriation Committee(s) that fund Parkinson's research - to urge them to support Parkinson's research funding for fiscal year 2002. Attached to this e-mail are sample letters for you to use when writing to your Member of Congress and talking points for you to use when you phone your Member of Congress. The phone number for Congress is 202-225-3121. Also attached is the membership roster of the four appropriations committees who have jurisdiction over the Department of Defense. They are the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee; House Full Committee on Appropriations, Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Full Appropriations Committee. Please send this message on to anyone you know who can help or direct them to our website at http://www.parkinsonsaction.org and click on LEGSLATIVE ALERT. PAN's phone nnumber is 800-850-4726. Thanks for all of your hard work! Together, we will find a cure as soon as humanly possible. Laura Eckart PArkinson's Action Network --------------------------------------------------- Dated: September 6, 2001 TALKING POINTS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002 FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND MATERIEL COMMAND NEUROTOXIN EXOPOSURE TREATMENT PROGRAM (NETRP) Background: Lawmakers have begun drafting appropriations bills for the 2002 fiscal year, including funding for the Department of Defense (DoD). The Department of Defense appropriations bill contains funding for the Army Program for Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program (NETRP). This excellent program investigates the causes and looks for ways to treat and prevent Parkinson's and other nuerodegenerative diseases. It is crucial for advocates -- in particular constituents -- to call Members of Congress who serves on the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee - that decides on the funding for the DoD - to urge them to aggressively fund the NETRP. We are seeking $50 million for Fiscal Year 2002 for this program. Talking Points: [Note: When making calls always identify yourself as a constituent of the Congressperson's district or Senator's home state.] I am calling today to urge [Congressman/women or Senator (last name)] to support funding in the Department of Defense Appropriations bill. Specifically, I am calling about the Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Program (NETRP), to ask that [Congressman/women or Senator (last name)] support the funding of $50 million for Fiscal year 2002. This program is very important for the military and the Parkinson's community. [Explain your personal connection to Parkinson's disease and how the disease has affected you and your family.] This innovative program investigates the causes of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and looks for ways to prevent and treat these diseases. Everyday, Military personnel work in environments that expose them to a wide range of toxins that increase their risk for neurological disease. Unfortunately, many of the toxins that the military are exposed to are also found in products commonly found within our homes. The NETRP has had numerous scientific breakthroughs and improved understanding of what causes these diseases and how they will be treated and prevented. This program will save lives. Funding for NETRP is a vital investment of funds. In fact, Parkinson's disease is estimated to cost the United States $25 billion a year. Can we count on your support? How does [Congressman/women or Senator (last 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. -------------------------------------------------------- 9/5/01 PAN'S Sample Letter to Congress on Department of Defense Appropriations [Date] The Honorable [First Name] [Last Name] U.S. Senate/ U.S. House of Representatives Washington D.C. 20510/20515 Dear Senator/ Representative [Last Name]: I/ We seek your support for the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command's Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Program (NETRP). In order to allow this outstanding program to continue, I/ We ask for the appropriation of $50 million for the NETRP for Fiscal Year 2002. The NETRP has had terrific results and is critically important for the military. This innovative program investigates the mechanisms and treatments of neurological diseases - with an emphasis on Parkinson's disease - to prevent, detect and treat environmental toxicity that may result from exposure to military threat agents and operational hazards. Allow me/ us to highlight some of the NETRP's merit: ·Serviceman and women work in environments that expose them to a wide range of toxins that may increase their risk for disease. ·Many of the toxins that our servicemen and women are exposed to are found in products commonly found within our borders such as pesticides and cleaning agents. ·Advance research allows the Department of Defense (DoD) to better understand and thus minimize risk for service personnel. I [my husband/wife/parent etc.] suffer from Parkinson's, a progressive neurological disorder that destroys brain cells controlling motor function. Available treatment only partially alleviates the resulting stiffness, tremor and slowness of movement eventually leaving its victims unable to speak, walk or even move. [Personal details about how you have been directly affected will make the letter more compelling and should be included here.] When funds are invested in valuable research such as NETRP, the return is dramatic. I/ We can say with confindence that the NETRP will saves lives. Moreover, since Parkinson's disease is estimated to cost the United States at least $25 billion a year in direct health related expenses, disability costs and lost productivity - and this number will balloon with the aging of the Baby Boom Generation - it is a fiscal imperative. Detecting and thus preventing neurological diseases such as Parkinson's would benefit our military personnel and it would profoundly impact the lives of the million plus Americans who suffer from this disease. I/ We urge you to support funding for the NETRP. I/ We thank you for your attention and look forward to a response. Sincerely, [Your name, Address, and Phone Number] ----------------------------------------------------------------- KEY SENATORS: The Senate Appropriations Full Committee is responsible for all appropriations made in the United States Senate, including Department of Defense (DoD) - which includes the Army's NETRP program- and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). PAN is seeking $50 million for the DoD's NETRP program and $143.5 million for year two of the NIH's Parkinson's Five Year Research Agenda for fiscal year 2002. NAME PARTY STATE Bennett Robert R UT Bond Christopher R MO Burns Conrad R MT Byrd Robert D WV Campbell Ben R CO Cochran Thad R MS Craig Larry R ID DeWine Mike R OH Domenici Pete R NM Dorgan Byron D ND Durbin Richard D IL Feinstein Dianne D CA Gregg Judd R NH Harkin Tom D IA Hollings Ernest D SC Hutchison Kay Bailey R TX Inouye Daniel D HI Johnson Tim D SD Kohl Herbert D WI Landrieu Mary D LA Leahy Patrick D VT McConnell Mitch R KY Mikulski Barbara D MD Murray Patty D WA Reid Harry D NV Shelby Richard R AL Specter Arlen R PA Stevens Ted R AK Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-WV is Chairman and Senator Ted Stevens, R-AL, is the Ranking Member of the Committee. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense is responsible for Department of Defense appropriations including the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Program (NETRP). PAN is seeking $50 million for the NETRP for fiscal year 2002. NAME PARTY STATE Bond Christopher R MO Cochran Thad R MS Gregg Judd R NH Harkin Tom D IA Hollings Ernest D SC Hutchison Kay Bailey R TX Inouye Daniel D HI Reid Harry D NV Specter Arlen R PA Stevens Ted R AK Byrd Robert D WV Domenici Pete R NM Dorgan Byron D ND Durbin Richard D IL Feinstein Dianne D CA Leahy Patrick D VT McConnell Mitch R KY Shelby Richard R AL Senator Daniel Inouye, D-HI, is Chairman and Senator Ted Stevens, R-AL, is the Ranking Member on the Committee. KEY REPRESENTATIVES: The House Appropriations Full Committee is responsible for all appropriations made in the House of Representatives, including Department of Defense (DoD) - which includes the Army's NETRP program- and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). PAN is seeking $50 million for the DoD's NETRP program and $143.5 million for year two of the NIH's Parkinson's Five Year Research Agenda for fiscal year 2002. NAME PARTY STATE DISTRICT Aderholt Robert R AL 4 Bonilla Henry R TX 23 Boyd Allen D FL 2 CallahanSonny R AL 1 Clyburn James D SC 6 Cramer Robert D AL 5 Cunningham Randy R CA 51 DeLauro Rosa D CT 3 DeLay Tom R TX 22 Dicks Norman D WA 6 Doolittle John R CA 4 Edwards Chet D TX 11 Emerson JoAnn R MO 8 Farr Sam D CA 17 Fattah Chaka D PA 2 Frelinghuysen Rodney R NJ 11 Goode Virgil I VA 5 Granger Kay R TX 12 Hinchey Maurice D NY 26 Hobson David R OH 7 Hoyer Steny D MD 5 Istook Ernest R OK 5 Jackson Jesse D IL 2 Kaptur Marcy D OH 9 Kennedy Patrick D RI 1 Kilpatrick Carolyn D MI 15 Kingston Jack R GA 1 Knollenberg Joseph R MI 11 Kolbe Jim R AZ 5 LaHood Ray R IL 18 Latham Tom R IA 5 Lewis Jerry R CA 40 Lowey Nita D NY 18 Meek Carrie D FL 17 Miller Dan R FL 13 Mollohan Alan D WV 1 Moran James D VA 8 Murtha John D PA 12 Nethercutt George R WA 5 Northup Anne R KY 3 Obey David D WI 7 Olver John D MA 1 Pastor Ed D AZ 2 Pelosi Nancy D CA 8 Peterson John R PA 5 Price David D NC 4 Regula Ralph R OH 16 Rogers Harold R KY 5 Rothman Steven D NJ 9 Roybal-Allard Lucille D CA 33 Sabo Martin D MN 5 Serrano Jose D NY 16 Sherwood Don R PA 10 Skeen Joe R NM 2 Sununu John R NH 1 Sweeney John R NY 22 Taylor Charles R NC 11 Tiahrt Todd R KS 4 Visclosky Peter D IN 1 Vitter David R LA 1 Wamp Zach R TN 3 Wicker Roger R MS 1 Wolf Frank R VA 10 Young C.W. R FL 10 Representative C.W. (Bill) Young, R-FL is Chairman and Representative David Obey, D-WI, the Ranking Member of the Committee. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense is responsible for Department of Defense appropriations including the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Program (NETRP). PAN is seeking $50 million for the NETRP for fiscal year 2002. NAME PARTY STATE DISTRICT Bonilla Henry R TX 23 Cunningham Randy R CA 51 Frelinghuysen Rodney R NJ 11 Hobson David R OH 7 Istook Ernest R OK 5 Lewis Jerry R CA 40 Moran James D VA 8 Murtha John D PA 12 Nethercutt George R WA 5 Sabo Martin D MN 5 Skeen Joe R NM 2 Visclosky Peter D IN 1 Young C.W. R FL 10 Representative Jerry Lewis, R-CA, is the Chairman and Representative John Murtha, D-PA is Ranking Member of the Committee. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn