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Parkinson's Action NetWork - ACTION ADVISORY 9/27/96 To Parkinson's-affected community and scientists >From Joan Samuelson, Esq. Yesterday, the Senate unanimously passed the Udall Parkinson's Research bill as part of the NIH reauthorization bill. More details later. We'll celebrate late. TODAY OUR JOB IS TO MAKE EVERY LAST EFFORT TO GET THE BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATVIES BEFORE THEY ADJOURN. Close, but... We are working behind the scenes as well as through a hardy band of Parkinson's troopers in the halls of the Congress today. We are very close, but various timing, political policy questions --related or unrelated to Parkinson's--still could derail it. We are working to clear the obstacles, and you can help by keeping the pressure on. THIS IS THE TIME-RIGHT NOW-TO MAKE YOUR LAST EFFORT THROUGH FINAL CALLS, VISITS AND FAXES. THE CONGRESS MAY ADJOURN FOR THE YEAR AS EARLY AS TODAY. What we need the House to do- The Senate-passed bill containing trhe Udall Parkinson's legislation is known as the NIH reauthorization bill. It contains various provisions authorizing NIH research programs. We need the House to send the NIH bill, with the Parkinson's research provisions in it, to the floor for a vote as soon as possible. What you can do- THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE--UNTIL YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES CAN TELL YOU THE VOTE IS DONE, WE NEED THEM TO KEEP PUSHING. The people who can make that happen are the House Commerce Committee leadership- Chair. Tom Bliley (R-Richmond, VA) Sub-committee Mike Bilirakis(R-Tampa/St. Pete,FL) and the House leadership- Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Marietta,GA) Representatives Dick Armey (R-Irving, TX) Tom DeLay (R-Houston, TX) Your own Congressmen could urge them to get the bill to the floor and passed before they adjourn. Tell them lives are at stake--Get it done! UNTIL YOU HEAR ON THE NEWS THAT CONGRESS HAS ADJOURNED FOR THE YEAR, WE HAVE A CHANCE! YOU CAN AND SHOULD CALL ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS FOR FREE BY DIALING THE CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD AT 1-800-962-3524. (You can call even though it's after 5pm or before 9am including the moment you finish reading this! If you get a machine, LEAVE A MESSAGE!)