SAMPLE LETTER TO CONGRESS
Date
The Honorable ____________________, M.C.
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
OR
The Honorable ____________________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Representative/Senator _________:
I/we seek your support for an action which will benefit the Parkinson=92s=
community=92s great need for increased research support. I/we ask you to=
co-sponsor the Morris K. Udall Parkinson=92s Research and Education Act. =
The
bill, S.648 and H.R. 1462, was re-introduced on April 6, 1995 by its
principal sponsors, Mark Hatfield and Henry Waxman, and a bipartisan grou=
p of
House and Senate co-sponsors. =
I [my husband/wife/parent etc.] suffer from Parkinson=92s disease, a
progressive neurological disorder that destroys brain cells controlling m=
otor
function. Available treatment only partially alleviates the resulting
stiffness, tremor and slowness of movement. Eventually it leaves its vic=
tims
unable to walk, to talk, even to move. [Revise for your personal story if=
you
wish]
In addition to these devastating human consequences, Parkinson=92s financ=
ially
cripples our nation: $6 billion in direct and indirect costs per year.
Meanwhile, U.S. support for direct Parkinson=92s research currently amou=
nts to
a mere $26 per year per patient, which is far less than most other diseas=
es
receive. =
This is unfair to the Parkinson=92s community, and it ignores a tremendou=
s
scientific opportunity. Scientists say they have the potential for major=
treatment advances, and very possibly a cure of Parkinson=92s, in this de=
cade.
But this will not happen without adequate research.
The Udall bill would authorize the necessary expansion of Parkinson=92s
research through strengthening of the NIH research effort, establishment =
of a
series of Parkinson=92s research centers nationwide, and other programs
including Morris K. Udall Research Excellence Awards and a centralized da=
ta
bank.
Please do not allow our community to be ignored any longer. To restore o=
ur
hope, and eliminate a huge economic burden on our government and economy,=
we
ask that you add your name as a co-sponsor of the Udall bill. =
Thank you for your attention. Please respond at your earliest convenienc=
e.
Sincerely,
(Your name address and phone number)
