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This has been my first year of involvement with the Udall Bill. Because my crazy job limits my personal time and energy, and because I have no experience in political activism, I've remained a PFC in the activist chain of command. My remarks here are those of a newcomer, so please tell me if I'm way off base. I'm guessing that attention is being given to unity and a PWP Congress at this point in the Udall Bill's life-cycle because of friction encountered among the PD organizations while working for the bill's passage. The friction is unfortunate, because, I would think, Udall Bill implementation at a detailed level, along with efforts to ensure appropriations, ought to be the focus right now. Is there too much dissention now for this to occur? It appears that we have little time. As I understand it, although the Udall Bill "authorizes" $100 million for fiscal year 1998, plus unspecified amounts for fiscal 1999 and 2000, all the NIH appropriations for 1998 (which include an increase but do not include the $100 million, because the latter was just authorized) have already been made (in the Labor, Health and Human Services general approprations bill which Congress just passed this November -- the bill to which the Udall authorization was attached as an amendment). I'm just beginning to learn about the federal budget process, and it's my impression (correct me if I'm wrong) that authorized programs generally receive appropriations after being included in the President's budget. The President presents the 1999 budget to Congress in January 1998. It appears we missed getting the $100 million appropriated for 1998, since it was just recently authorized. But unless the authorized Udall measures are covered in the 1999 budget, won't we miss out on 1999 appropriations as well? It would seem to me that you have a chance of getting a program into the budget if it has a detailed blueprint along with support of the President. I am aware that PAN is addressing the matter of 1999 appropriations, and that at some point we grassroots people will be requested to do something. Are NPF, APDA, et. al. addressing this as well? Of course there are ongoing strategic issues which it is appropriate for a PWP Congress to address. But do our activists have sufficient time and energy for this now, when effort is needed to work for the appropriations? Phil Tompkins Hoboken NJ 59/8