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I have been pondering how to describe the special moment that many of us = experienced in Washington on July 15, for the next edition of our local = newsletter. Even saying that it was one of the most inspirational days = of my life doesn't quite do it justice. I finally think that I have = come up with the proper description. Imagine the euphoria you might = experience if you were absolutely convinced that there was going to be a = cure for Parkinson's disease very soon. On Tuesday evening July 15 a = group of advocates numbering slightly over fifty shared that experience = with hugs for everyone and tears in everyone's eyes. Tuesday July began = with one of the senior staffers of Senator Wellstone's office telling a = crowd of about 70 advocates that for some pieces of legislation it all = comes together and you know that it is the right time to move a Bill. = It was her opinion that this was the time for the Udall Bill. =20 After several presentations dealing with the current state of = Parkinson's research (and each of these were very encouraging), Senator = McCain, the former prison of war in Vietnam and personal friend of Mo = Udall, told us how we were going to see this Bill passed in the Senate. We then spread out onto Capitol Hill and commenced to sign up three new = Senators and over 30 new Representatives. I was in the hotel lobby and = received reports from each of the groups as they returned from Capitol = Hill. That afternoon's work gave us a clear majority of cosponsors of = the Udall Bill in both houses. That in itself was reason for = celebration. But the best was yet to come. =20 Senator Wellstone joined us for dinner. His unwavering dedication stems = in part from both his parents having had Parkinson's disease. Senator = Wellstone is an emotional man and an inspirational speaker. He was on = top of his game that evening. He received six standing ovations, each = one with the thundering response louder than the previous one. When he = finished everyone in that room knew that they were experiencing one of = life's magical moments. I have always spoken positively about the = potential for a cure for Parkinson's in the near future. That evening I = was absolutely certain. I wish that I could bottle that energy and conviction to share with all = those who suffer with this sinister disease and all of the dedicated = researchers attempting to put the many pieces to the Parkinson's puzzle = together.