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Regarding PR for the Udall Bill, the National Parkinson Foundation has been working hard to get the Bill known. The following article will run in our next "Parkinson's Report". This issue is dedicated to Muhammad Ali and the Udall Bill. In addition to going to the over 200,000 individuals on our mailing list, this special issue along with a pitch letter for media coverage will be sent to over 2,000 media outlets within the next 2 weeks. NPF Testifies Before Congress "Pass the Morris K. Udal Bill" by Melinda Brown, Director of Pubic Relations Will the Udall Bill pass into law this year? Based on the events that took place during NPF's trip to Capital Hill, it looks promising. Wednesday, April 23rd was an exciting day for the National Parkinson Foundation and Parkinson's patients everywhere. Muhammad and Lonnie Ali, official spokespersons for NPF, along with Emilio Alonso-Mendoza, the Executive Director of NPF, appeared before the House of Representatives Appropriation's Committee to push for the passage of the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act of 1997 (S. 535 and H. R. 1260). The Appropriation's Committee approves funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) where the funds provided by the Udall Bill will be allocated. As the Alis and Mr. Alonso-Mendoza were escorted through the Capitol into a committee room brimming with national news reporters, members of Congress and Parkinson activists from all over, the urgency and importance of what was about to take place manifested in a moment of silence that seemed an eternity. This silence was broken as Senator John McCain, the lead sponsor of the Udall bill in the Senate, introduced Muhammad and Lonnie Ali as the first speakers. It was Lonnie Ali's voice that articulated so eloquently the feelings and thoughts of her husband whom, she said, would have loved to speak himself had Parkinson's not robbed him of his voice. "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" stated Lonnie in her opening remarks to the Chairman of the committee. Lonnie continued to remark about how Parkinson's disease has effected their lives and the lives of millions. The Committee members were moved by the testimony and praised the Alis for their courage and commitment. Upon conclusion of the Ali's testimony, Lawrence S. Hoffheimer, Esq., Washington Counsel of NPF and moderator of the panel of witnesses supporting Parkinson's research, introduced Emilio Alonso-Mendoza who presented testimony on behalf of Mr. Nathan Slewett, NPF's Chairman of the Board who was unable to attend the event due to unforeseen circumstances. As Alonso-Mendoza testified on behalf of Mr. Slewett and NPF, his dedication and commitment were apparent in the strength of his words and tone of his voice. The importance of the Udall Bill was dramatically emphasized when he so confidently stated "If we increase our funding for Parkinson's disease from $28 million to $100 million, that is to say $100 per Parkinson disease patient, I believe that within 5 years we will abolish the disease." (A complete version of all testimony may be read on pages ...) Upon the conclusion of the testimony, the committee room that had been packed with reporters, members of Congress and Parkinson advocates slowly cleared, but the spirit and hope that manifested as a result of these presentations will remain forever present in the hearts of all who were there. Though it's hard to imagine that the true meaning of the Morris K. Udall Bill to Parkinson's patients could be emphasized during just one hearing, it was. In a brief 30 minutes, the purpose and importance of the Udall Bill was successfully conveyed, and this was made clear when the Chairman, Bill Young, R. FL noted that in all his years on the Appropriation's Committee he had never heard testimony delivered so articulately and cogently. NPF's trip to Capitol Hill was a huge success in many ways. In addition to actually testifying before Congress, NPF participated in and hosted other exciting events. The first of which was an morning press conference which was organized in conjunction with Senator McCain. The press conference included the four principal sponsors of the Udall Bill; Senators McCain and Wellstone, and Congressmen Upton and Waxman (Senator Wellstone and Congressman Waxman are members of NPF's Board of Governors). In addition, Muhammad and Lonnie Ali, Emilio Alonso-Mendoza, Norma Udall and Lawrence S. Hoffheimer spoke at the press conference on behalf of NPF. During the conference a photograph was taken of the four sponsors and Muhammad Ali holding blown up copies of the Udall Bill. This photo will become the "official" photograph of the fight to get the Udall Bill enacted into law, and NPF will have postcards made of this photo. These postcards will be available to all Parkinson advocates to send to their Senators and Representatives. After the press conference, NPF's Chairman Nathan Slewett, hosted a private luncheon in the Capitol for the Alis and the Appropriation's Committee. The purpose of this luncheon which preceded the testimony, was to enlighten the committee members about the devastating consequences of Parkinson's disease and the research opportunities at hand. By speaking to the committee members in a less formal and relaxed atmosphere over lunch, NPF was able to give the Committee a better understanding of Parkinson's disease. Speakers at the luncheon on behalf of NPF included: Emilio Alonso-Mendoza, Lawrence Hoffheimer, Esq., Peter Morabito, DDS, Chairman of the Capital Chapter of NPF and member of its National Board of Governors, Norman Udall, wife of the former Congressmen who suffers from Parkinson's disease and for whom the bill is named, and a member of NPF's Board of Governors. Finally, the day ended with a glorious Parkinson's disease fund-raiser in tribute to Muhammad Ali, which was hosted by the Capital Chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Over 350 people paid to attend this tribute to Ali and share in the festivities as NPF acknowledged the Champ for all his hard work and dedication to the Parkinson cause. Chaired by Congressman Joe McDade, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about a year ago and with special guest, Senator John McCain, , the tribute reception was a great way to end the day spent on Capitol Hill. Larry Hoffheimer, President of NPF's Capital Chapter presented awards of "Heartfelt Appreciation" to Congressman McDade and Senator McCain. The reception program was moderated by Peter Morabito, Chairman of NPF's Capital Chapter. Emilio Alonso-Mendoza welcomed the guests on behalf of NPF and praised Peter Morabito for his energy and courage in helping lead the fight to conquer Parkinson's disease. . As the grand finale to this worthwhile and meaningful evening, Peter Morabito presented Muhammad Ali framed and autographed copies of the House and Senate versions of the Udall Bill, and invited him to return to Washington, DC to celebrate when the Bill is signed into law. The day ended with all involved believing that victory is at hand ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also, NPF just finished producing a 30 minute educational segment on Political Activism detailing the Udall Bill and grass roots efforts. This tape will be available for dissemination to the general public very soon. If you are not on NPF's mailing list and wish to receive the next issue of the Parkinson Report please call: (800) 327-4545