 |
 |
-- [ From: Seymour Gross * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] -- My concerns on learning that one organization has declared itself to be the leader, and therefore spokesperson of the grassroots movement is that, 1. this action negates the respect earned, and the value of the other organizations in the eyes of those who matter, eg., Congress, and 2. the Parkinson community cannot afford to do without the political savvy and influence that have been demonstrated by Joan Samuelson, Michael Claeys, and those in the other Parkinson organizations. The November 11 issue of PAN's newsletter, while encouraging mail and calls to elected officials, states, "The Udall Act is law, but it needs continued action to translate words into funding and programs that will build the Parkinson's research effort as Congress intends....This campaign will end only when medical science reports that Parkinson's has been defeated. The Udall Act promises a dramatic increase in Parkinson's research. We need continued action by Congress and the Clinton Administration to make it reality." I think that before the funds are appropriated we will again hear from the conservatives in Congress who blocked funding for family planning clinics overseas, and payment of US dues to the the UN. We know of the horrendous consequences that even 6 months can take on PWP - we can't afford to not do everything right the first time in securing the $100,000,000 appropriation. It would be encouraging to know that those who were most effective in preventing the exclusion of fetal tissue research from the Udall bill, and rallying the troops, are active participants. Call it Unity or Common Purpose, the Parkinson Coalition or whatever, I hope that those involved in the NPF's Congress, all of whom I have reason to respect and admire, will urge that the umbrella be enlarged in a democratic manner to include those who might make a difference now, and in the future work on reconciling underlying differences. Dolores Gross [log in to unmask]