Testimony of Muhammad and Lonnie Ali before the House Appropriations
Subcommittee for the Departments of Labor, Health & Human Services, Education
and Related Agencies
April 23, 1997
Mr. Chairman and members of this committee. My name is Lonnie Ali and I
am accompanied by my husband Muhammad Ali whom I'm sure needs no
introduction. The fact that I am the one speaking to you this morning and
not Muhammad is one of the principal reasons that we are here today.
I am sure all of you know Muhammad suffers from Parkinson's disease, a
progressive neurodegenerative disorder that has robbed him of one of his most
prized functions... his voice, and the ability to speak clearly with
resonance. I believe all of you remember Muhammad's pre-Parkinson days when
he moved millions with his vibrant voice and poetic expression. In fact,
Muhammad was so vocal that he was dubbed the "Louisville Lip" shortly after
joining the professional ranks of boxing.
My experience as a Parkinson caregiver has given me greater understanding
about this disease and how it can devastate not only its victims, but also
family and friends as well. Thanks to Muhammad and the National Parkinson
Foundation, I have had the opportunity to share my story as a caregiver with
hundreds of others in Parkinson support groups. More importantly, they have
had the opportunity to share with me, there own personal stories of economic
and emotional tragedy and hardship this terrible disease has brought them.
In the course of our travels, I have met hundreds of Parkinson patients, some
worse off than Muhammad and some not as affected. Muhammad and I have come
away from these experiences with the resolve to help in any way we can to
advance the research that will hasten the cure for Parkinson's disease.
Muhammad and I are committed to participate in fundraisers that focus on
raising funds for medical research and tonight Muhammad is being honored at
such an event in Washington that is being sponsored by the Capital Chapter of
the National Parkinson Foundation chaired by your colleague, Joe McDade, who
also suffers from Parkinson's disease. Our special guest will be Senator
John McCain. I would like to extend a personal invitation to each of you to
join us.
As you will hear from Mr. Nathan Slewett, Chairman of the National
Parkinson Foundation, the money raised goes to support some of the finest
Parkinson's research in the world.
But, I can tell you first hand, more is needed! The resources of the
National Institutes of Health can not be matched by private philanthropy.
NIH, whose appropriations your committee approves, is supporting a large
amount of Parkinson's research...but not enough considering the research
opportunities currently at hand. I have been advised by some of the top
Parkinson's researchers that a significant infusion of federal funds
allocated to Parkinson's research will surely hasten the cure that Muhammad
and thousands of others could personally benefit from. Please consider that
fact when you markup this years appropriations bill.
Even more importantly, I want to urge that you focus on the Morris K. Udall
Parkinson's Research bill, which authorizes a $100 million for Parkinson's
disease research in the next fiscal year. Muhammad and I are asking each of
you become a cosponsor of this legislation, which was just reintroduced only
two weeks ago; and when it is enacted into law, which it will be, appropriate
the funds that it calls for so that we can rid ourselves of this devastating
illness.
Before I finish my remarks, I would like all of you to know that Muhammad was
unwilling to speak out and help in this fight to conquer Parkinson's disease
until recently when it became apparent that he might be able to make a
difference. I think you will agree he has.
Please consider our request and pleas for your help.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for providing us the opportunity to appear before
you today.
