Sample letters to Congress reprinted by request.
Date
The Honorable ____________________United States House of
RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515 OR The Honorable
____________________United States SenateWashington, DC 20510
Dear Representative/Senator _________:
I/we seek your support for an action which will benefit the Parkinson=92s
community=92s great need for increased research support. I/we ask you to
co-sponsor the Morris K. Udall Parkinson=92s Research and Education Act,
which was introduced in the 105th Congress as S. 535 and H.R. 1260. The
Udall bill was introduced with 36 cosponsors in the Senate and 109 House
cosponsors. It is vital that this legislation, to expand Parkinson=92s
research funding, pass as soon as possible.
I care because I [my husband/wife/parent etc.] suffer from Parkinson=92s
disease, a progressive neurological disorder that destroys brain cells
controlling motor function. Available treatment only partially
alleviates the resulting stiffness, tremor and slowness of movement.=20
Eventually it leaves its victims unable to walk, to talk, even to move.
[Revise for your personal story]
In addition to these devastating human consequences, Parkinson=92s
financially cripples our nation: It costs an estimated $25 billion in
direct and indirect costs per year. Meanwhile, U.S. support for direct
Parkinson=92s research currently amounts to less than $30 million per
year, or $30 per patient, which is far less than most other diseases
receive.=20
This is unfair to the Parkinson=92s community, and it ignores a tremendou=
s
scientific opportunity. Scientists say they have the potential for
major treatment advances, and very possibly a cure of Parkinson=92s, in
this decade. But this will not happen without an adequate research
investment.
The Udall bill would authorize the necessary expansion of Parkinson=92s
research through strengthening of the NIH research effort, grants to
scientific teams performing the highest priority Parkinson=92s research
nationwide, and other much needed programs.
Please do not allow our community to be ignored any longer. To restore
our hope, and eliminate a huge economic burden on our government and
economy, we ask that you add your name as a co-sponsor of the Udall
bill.=20
Thank you for your attention. Please respond at your earliest
convenience.
Sincerely,
(Your name, address, and phone number)
Sample follow-up letter to Congress
Date
The Honorable ______________
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
OR
The Honorable ______________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Representative/Senator _________:
Thank you for your response to my letter requesting your support for the
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research and Education Act, S. 535 and H.R.
1260. I appreciate very much your expression of interest in this
issue. As I told you in my first contact, Parkinson's is a very serious
problem that creates enormous human suffering and wastes billions of
dollars annually in direct and indirect costs.
I am writing again because your first response did not address the
question of your co-sponsorship of the Udall bill. This year, 1997, is
the year we need passage of the Udall bill. The enormous scientific
potential for a breakthrough deserves a research investment now. [You
may elaborate here with a further personal story or more data on the
need for the bill.]
I ask that you commit to co-sponsor the Udall bill, and respond directly
to this request. Enclosed you will find a fact sheet which discusses
the Udall bill in greater detail.
Thank you very much for your attention to this concern. I look forward
to your response.=20
Sincerely,
(Your name, address, and phone number)
