Dear friends,aa We did it!! It's been lots of HARD work, and here it is! Below is Gov. Angus King's Proclamation., for PD AWARENESS MONTH (April). It arrived in my surface mail, today. The SIGNING CEREMONY is Monday, April 7, 1997, at 10:45AM., Maine State Capitol, Augusta. WE all feel like this PROCLAMATION will help the UDALL BILL, and other PWP and CG activists, educators and advocates. Please continue to post the results of any efforts you are making to get AWARENESS MONTH proclamations. Sincerely yours, Ivan Suzman 47/10 Portland, Me land of lighthouses Hale-Bopp comet in the western sky **************************************************************************** STATE OF MAINE P r o c l a m a t i o n 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 Gehrig's Disease combined; and WHEREAS, according to the American Parkinson's DIsease Association there are approximately 1.5 million people in the United States diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, of which 7,000 or more are in the State of Maine; and WHEREAS, the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease - stillness, tremor, slowness, poor movement, and difficulty with balance and speaking - are often mistaken as a normal part of the aging process; and WHEREAS, the cause of the disease is unknown, and antiparkinsonian drugs can only control some of the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease for a short period of time; and WHEREAS, April 11 has been proclaimed to be World Parkinson's Day, a day for all to recognize the need for more research and help in dealing with the devastating effects of Parkinson's Disease; and WHEREAS, increased education and research are needed to help find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for Parkinson's Disease, and to provide more effective support programs and services to Parkinson's DIsease patients, their caregivers and families, NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANGUS S. KING, JR., Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim April, 1997 as P A R K I N S O N' S D I S E A S E A W A R E N E S S M O N T H throughout the State of Maine, and urge all citizens to extend their support for those struggling with Parkinson's Disease and the loved ones trying to help fight the battle. (State seal) In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twentieth day of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Seven (signed) Angus S. King, Jr. Governor (signed) Dan A. Gwadosky Secretary of State ***********************************************************