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                          CERTIFICATE of RECOGNITION


By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in thhe Governor of the
    Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:


                  PARKINSON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH


WHEREAS, Parkinson's Disease is a brain disorder that usually affects adults
over 40,
although it can appear in younger patients; and

WHEREAS, more individuals suffer from Parkinson's Disease than multiple
sclerosis,
muscular dystrophy and Lou Gerhig's Disease combined; and

WHEREAS, according to the American Parkinson's Disease Association of
Virginia, today
there are over 13,000 Virginians affected by Parkinson's Disease; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, there were over 4,000 individual cases of Parkinson's
Disease reported
at Virginia hospitals, and there were 270 Parkinson's Disease fatalities; and

WHEREAS, the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease -- stiiness, tremor, slowness
and poor
movement, and difficulty with balance and speaking -- are often mistaken as
a normal
part of the aging process; and

WHEREAS, although the cause of this disease is unknown, Levodopa and other
antiparkinson
drugs can effectively control Parkinson's Disease symptoms; and

WHEREAS, increased education and research are expected to help find more
effective
treatments and ultimately a cure for Parkinson's Disease and will provide
more effective
support programs and services to Parkinson's Disease patients, their
caregivers and
families;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George Allen, Governor, do hereby proclaim April 1997 as
PARKINSON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I
call this observance to the attention of all our concerned citizens.
        G I
      R     N
    I        I
  V           A                   /S/ George Allen
                                       Governor
SIC  <SEAL> TYRANNIS
     SEMPER
                                 /S/ Betsy Davis Beamer
                               Secretary of the Commonwealth
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And here's to long "ons" and short "offs"

WILL JOHNSTON   4049 OAKLAND SCHOOL ROAD
                SALISBURY, MD 21804-2716
                410-543-0110
Pres A.P.D.A.  DelMarVa Chapter