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I'm joinning Bob Dolezal in presenting this plan of action( see separate post). The plan is the same, the appeal a little different. I hope that one of these appeals motivates everyone. This plan had substantial input from Teri Whitling and Bob Martone among many others. After a long winter staring at the specter of a year of lost opportunity (our failure to pass the Udall Bill), I feel the excitement of spring and a new initiative building. As the bulbs begin to break their way out of their dormancy, I see my fellow advocates beginning to emerge. Just as these bulbs will surely burst into the warm sunshine of summer, I look forward to basking in the success of passing the Udall Bill. HERE'S THE PLAN Now is the time. Our leaders have positioned us such that victory is ours for the taking. That victory is increased funding for Parkinson's research (the Udall Bill). We now have a plan. 1) WRITE & CALL/VISIT IN DISTRICT - The last week in March and the first week in April Congress is on recess. Visit every Congressman and Senator possible during that two week period and politely insist that they cosponsor the Udall Bill which will be introduced upon their return. Prior to a visit or if you can't visit - write or call (800-962-3542 the capitol switchboard, just ask for your Congressman or Senator) Calls and letters are not as effective as a visit but are the next best thing (on their own) and compliment a visit(demonstrating the visitor represents many more) 2) INTRODUCTION - The Udall Bill will be introduced by Senator McCain and Congressman Upton on Apr. 9th. Equally vital to the ultimate success is the support of their minority counterparts Senator Wellstone and Congressman Waxman 3) ALI AT APPROPRIATIONS - Two weeks later, on April 23rd, Muhammed Ali will be on Capitol Hill to testify before the House Appropriations Committee. We will recruit a group of advocates and go to Washington that week to contact any and all of those who have not yet agreed to cosponsor. Word of Ali's presence on the Hill should maximize our presence and impact. 4) FINALE - On April 29, as the grand finale, PAN has its annual Udall Awards dinner. By that time we should have as cosponsors the majority of both houses. We then will have given our political leaders (McCain, Wellstone, Upton and Waxman) a majority in both Houses far earlier than last year and Congress will not be adjourning early for a presidential election. We will also have given them something almost as important - a dramatic demonstration of the unity and resolve of the Parkinson's community. A message that we will not be denied. My challenge is to come up with the words that will motivate people, many who may have never been involved in politics or perhaps do not even know who their Congressman is, to summons up the nerve, resolve, chutzpa, cojones (call it what you will), and go see their Congressman and Senators. There is simply no substitute for seeing your elected official in person. If during that visit you convey the misery brought about by this affliction and establish that a cure or new effective treatment is close, then that person must look you in the eyes and either say "Yes, I will help" or "No, I will condemn you to a life of disease and suffering". The latter is extremely difficult for one human to say to another. If you have Parkinson's and would like to do your part to cure this hideous disease, plan on seeing your Congressman in person during those two weeks. Call now as you may have to convince their aides that you will see your elected official if you have to sit on the door step. Tenacity should not be a problem for those who suffer daily with this scourge. You cannot convey this emotion by phone or letter. You cannot convey this emotion through an aide. It takes a personal visit and it works. My wife and I have personally seen 23 elected officials and 19 have agreed to cosponsor. Conversely we have spoken to 20 aides and only 10 of those elected officials have agreed to cosponsor. If you want to one day have the freedom of movement we all use to take for granted, you simply must seize this opportunity. This is it folks. We need to get this legislation passed now. We must demonstrate that the Parkinson's community has the resolve to demand that we obtain the breakthrough that the neuroscientists tell us is so tantalizingly close. We cannot keep coming back year after year with the same message. This is the year we must get it done. Jim Cordy Pittsburgh [log in to unmask]