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To: Parkinson's-affected community and scientists From: Joan I. Samuelson, Esq. Re: UDALL BILL -- FINAL PUSH We are in the final push for passage of the Udall bill in this Congress. With in two weeks, the Congress is expected to go home for the year. This is the time--RIGHT NOW--to make final calls, visits, letters and faxes. Below is the status and how you can help. THE BILL IS MOVING TO THE FLOOR IN THE SENATE As this is written, the NIH reauthorization, with the "streamlined"Udall bill provisions included, is in negotiation over the details that will determine when and how it will hit the Senate floor for a vote. We are very close, but various timing, political and policy question --related or unrelated to Parkinson's-- could derail it. We are working to clear the obstacles, and YOU CAN HELP BY KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON. THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE --Until Your Elected Representatives Can Tell You The Vote Is Done, We Need Them To Keep Pushing. Also Contact the Senate Leadership--Senators Lott And Kassebaum In Particular. TO THE HOUSE: GET UDALL MOVING: Despite a majority-plus of the House co-sponsoring and pressure continuing to build, the House Commerce Committee leadership-Chair Tom Bliley(R-Richmond, VA) and Sub-committee Chair Mike Bilirakis (R-Tampa/St. Pete, FL) ---are STILL blocking the bill's movement. Various Senators supporting us are working on them (Kassebaum, Mack--Thank you!!), and the Senate vote will increase the pressure, but WE NEED YOU TO KEEP PUSHING THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP (SPEAKER GINGRICH, REPS. DICK ARMEY AND TOM DELAY, BLILEY AND BILIRAKIS and get your own Congressmen to do so too. THIS IS THE LAST TIME THEY CAN HELP US THIS YEAR. TELL THEM LIVES ARE AT STAKE -- GET IT DONE! YOU CAN ALSO CALL ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS BY DIALING THE CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD AT (800)962-3524