I am posting this for Mike Claeys- Parkinson Action Network
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UDALL BILL INTRODUCTION SET FOR APRIL 9TH!
The Udall Parkinson's Research Act is set for introduction in the Senate
and House on Wednesday, April 9th! The press conference featuring the
bill's sponsors -- Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN),
and Congressmen Fred Upton (R-MI) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) -- as well as
representatives of the Parkinson's community, is scheduled for 11:00 am
that morning.
THAT LEAVES LESS THAN A MONTH TO SIGN UP ADDITIONAL ORIGINAL
COSPONSORS! The Parkinson's community needs to do all it can in the
coming weeks to contact Senators and Representatives and urge them to
sign onto the bill. Our goal: a hefty list of names in print on the
original bill, signaling momentum for passage. Remember: 54 returning
Senators and 208 returning Congressmembers cosponsored last year. They
are waiting to be asked by you! Call your legislators' Washington, DC
offices toll-free at 800-962-3524, speak with the Legislative Assistant
responsible for health care or medical research issues, urge them to
immediately support the Udall Parkinson's Research bill, and ask for a
definitive response whether or not their boss will cosponsor. (Note:
there is no bill number until after introduction. Just call it the
"Udall Parkinson's bill.") Be polite but persistent until you get a yes
or no answer. Please contact the Network whenever you need assistance,
at 800-850-4726.
CONGRESS IS HOME NOW
Congress' Spring District Work Period begins today and lasts through
April 8th. Since most Members will spend the break in their respective
States or districts, the next two weeks are a great time for Parkinson's
advocates to contact Legislators in support of the Udall bill. Every
effort should be made to alert Senators and Representatives of the Udall
bill's April 9th introduction.
Face-to-face meetings are the most effective lobbying strategy, so
contact legislators' local offices and try to schedule appointments for
yourself or for a group of advocates. Check your local telephone book,
or contact the Network for information on Legislators' district
offices. If a meeting cannot be arranged, inquire with the office about
the Legislators' scheduled public appearances.
What a support group can do: Write a letter on your group's letterhead
to your two Senators urging them to immediately sign onto the Udall
bill, and cc (carbon copy) the letter to Senator John McCain. Send a
letter to your Representative, cc'd to Rep. Fred Upton. Please send PAN
a copy of your letters.
What scientists can do: Write a letter on professional letterhead to
your Representative (cc'd to Rep. Upton) and two Senators (cc'd to Sen.
McCain) expressing the tremendous need for the additional research
funding provided by the Udall bill, and urging the legislators to sign
on immediately. Please send PAN a copy of your letters.
Individuals should send letters, postcards, faxes or email messages,
make telephone calls or personal visits to the Washington, DC or local
offices of all Senators and Representatives asking for their immediate
and strong support for the Udall bill. Please contact PAN for advocacy
materials, information on your legislators or with any questions you may
have.
U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 800-962-3524
Mailing addresses for all Members of Congress:
Name of Representative Name of Senator
House of Representatives United States Senate
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510
UDALL 1997 COSPONSOR COUNT
House: Too soon to tell. Udall sponsors Fred Upton (D-MI) and Henry
Waxman (D-CA) circulated their Dear Colleague letter last week advising
all Members of the need for the Udall bill and inviting them to sign
on. Congressman Upton's office reports "a ton" of calls coming in
regarding the bill, and is developing a master list of original
cosponsors. PAN will have an up to date list next Friday.
Senate: There are currently 23 Senators who have joined Udall sponsors
John McCain (R-AZ) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN) as original cosponsors.
Most were supporters last year, but new cosponsors Conrad Burns (R-MT)
and Alfonse D'Amato (R-NY) are testaments to the power of persuasion.
Three cheers to the Montana and New York advocates for their hard work!
Here are the current cosponsors -- who will be next?
Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)*
Christopher (Kit) Bond (R-MO)*
Barbara Boxer (D - CA)*
Richard Bryan (D - NV)*
Conrad Burns (R-MT)
Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO)*
Thad Cochran (R-MS)*
Alfonse D'Amato (R-NY)
Thomas Daschle (D - SD)*
Christopher Dodd (D-CT)*
Richard Durbin (D-IL)**
Wendell Ford (D-KY)*
John Glenn (D-OH)*
Charles Grassley (R-IA)*
Tom Harkin (D-IA)*
Ernest Hollings (D-SC)*
Daniel Inouye (D-HI)*
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)*
Connie Mack (R-FL)*
Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY)*
Harry Reid (D-NV)*
Charles Robb (D-VA)*
Robert Torricelli (D-NJ)**
* = Cosponsor in 104th Congress
** = House Cosponsor in 104th Congress
CALENDER OF UPCOMING EVENTS
April 9 Udall Bill Introduction
April 23 Muhammad Ali addresses
House Appropriations Comm.
April 24 Joan Samuelson addresses House Appropriations Comm.
April 29 Udall Awards Dinner
June 9 Public Policy Forum
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Parkinson's Action Network
800-850-4726
Headquarters:
818 College Ave., Suite C
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
phone 707-544-1994
fax 707-544-2363
email: [log in to unmask]
Washington, DC office
601 13th St. NW., Suite 310
Washington, DC 20005
phone 202-628-2079
fax 202-628-2077
Brad Udall, Chair
Joan I. Samuelson, President
John L. Dodge, Treasurer
Bonnie K. Mioduchoski, Administrator
Michael Claeys, Community Coordinator
The Action Reporter is a free publication of the Parkinson's Action Network,
a non-profit charitable foundation for a cure for Parkinson's. Use of this
material in other publications is welcomed. We ask that the Network be
identified as the source of the material, and notified how, when and where
the material is used. Simply call 800-850-4726
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