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Many have asked, "What do we do now?" The first thing is to thank all those who supported us, publicly if possible. Below is a letter to the editor I'm sending to our local paper. I hope this prompts others to do the same. The System Works Before Congress adjourned this year they passed legislation providing $100 million per year for Parkinson's disease research and education. It was subsequently signed into law by the President. It is a victory not only for people affected by Parkinson’s but for our system. This bill passed because one by one thousands of people told their elected representatives of the horrors of this disease, the promise of a near term scientific breakthrough, and the huge savings that would result. There were no junkets, PACs or high priced lobbyists. Instead there were letters, postcards, phone calls and visits by ordinary people. Our Senators and Representatives, one by one voiced there support. I’m proud to say that Pennsylvania was the first state to have both Senators sponsor this bill. Senator Specters leadership was crucial as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction. Senator Santorum’s support was vital with conservative Republicans. But this was a bipartisan effort, which had the early support of all of Western Pennsylvania’s predominately Democratic Congressmen. A special thanks to Congressman Bill Coyne who made his office in Washington our home away from home. Congressmen Klink, Mascara and Doyle were always accessible. Congressman English was one of the first Republican supporters in the House. Congressman Murtha’s support with his seniority on the Appropriations Committee was essential. I was privileged to be invited to the White House to witness the signing of this legislation. As I watched I was proud to be an American where the system does work and proud to be from Western Pennsylvania where a sense of neighbor helping neighbor still thrives. I was filled with the conviction that given these funds the Parkinson’s researchers at laboratories, like the one at the University of Pittsburgh, will soon find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Everyone will share in that victory as those resources will then be directed to other areas of medical science. Jim Cordy Pittsburgh [log in to unmask]