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Hello Fellow Advocates, I would like to suggest that each of us, our family, friends, support groups, write to these two offices urging immediate action to follow suit of the diabetes funding: [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] Additionally, this is an excellent topic to discuss with our Representative and Senators: 1/ if they are cosponsors of the Udall bill, ask their opinion on how we can use the successful funding of one disease to apply to PD, and 2/ if they have not yet cosigned, check out the arguments Bob Dolezal makes in his letter(see below), paraphrase and present them. Bob Dolezal's letter sent to the Legislative Health Aides of Sens. McCain and Wellstone on 8/11/97 supports and encourages the two sponsoring Senators in their fight to secure funding for the Udall bill. We all need to let them know that we are actively involved in this struggle. Send your email messages to: [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] ____________________________________________________________________________ The President's signing of the "Diabetes Initiatives" seems to afford us a fresh opportunity to lobby the American people, the Congress, and the Executive Branch for the Udall bill. For starters, the diabetes community should be congratulated and commended for its struggle to achieve this rewarding outcome. Winning over the President and the Speaker is no easy task, particularly when the victory involves "earmarking," as the diabetes success seems to be. Wouldn't this be an appropriate time for Senator McCain and Senator Wellstone to announce to the nation their support for the diabetes bill and their staunch and undying commitment to seeing the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research and Education Act reach the President's desk by ________ , in time for authorization and appropriation by ___________? The diabetes initiative has been led by some stalwart and committed folks, including all those cited by the President, so that special attention would be paid their disease. And they did so with the dedication of Rep. Elizabeth Furse, leader of the Bipartisan Congressional Diabetes Caucus, whose daughter has diabetes. That is their right, and what they ask is just and right. So is what Senator Wellstone asks for the disease that caused his parents' deaths. So is what Senator McCain asks for the disease responsible for the prolonged, painful and pitiful ending of his friend, one of the strongest men ever to walk the halls of Congress. The diabetes victory may or may not be pure "earmarking," I don't know enough of the details to be sure. But it sure looks like it, it is timely, it is a lot of money, and it paves the way for causes of like merit - and ours is. Regards, Bob Margaret Tuchman (55yrs, Dx 1980)- NJ-08540 [log in to unmask]