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from Michael Claeys Community Outreach Coordinator Parkinson's Action Network 818 College Avenue, Suite C Santa Rosa, CA 94504 (800) 850-4726 - phone (707) 544-2363 - fax [log in to unmask] - email "I wish to publically commend Harold Jones on his April 29 message. He has grasped and succintly stated the immediate priorities of the Parkinson's community--and after only two weeks! He could not be more correct identifying the lobbying of Congress for full funding of the Udall Act as the most important mission of the Parkinson's community--and not just the experienced advocates and political junkies--but everyone: patients young and old, caregivers, family members, friends, physicians, researchers... EVERYONE! There are several concurrent (and complimentary) funding efforts being pursued in Washington, ALL of which will be helped by active grassroots efforts in every state and district across the country--and particularly those represented by members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (often referred to as the "Labor/HHS" Subcommittees). At this time it will be tremendously helpful to deliver this very simple message to your legislators: "Please fully fund the Udall Act--$100 million in DIRECT Parkinson's research--in the 1999 Appropriations bill." June 14-17 Parkinson's advocates from around the country will converge on Washington to deliver that exact message to Congress--IN PERSON--at the fifth annual Public Policy Forum. A mailing with more information on the Forum has gone out this week to people who have expressed interest. If anyone would like to receive more information about this year's Forum, please contact the Parkinson's Action Network by phone at (800) 850-4726, fax at (707) 544-2363, or email at "[log in to unmask]". As always, the Forum will feature extensive advocacy training for newcomers and veterans alike, the latest research updates from top Parkinson's scientists, legislative updates from Senators, Representative and Capitol Hill insiders, and lots of direct lobbying in support of Parkinson's research finding. New this year will be the unveiling of the long-awaited advocacy video with instructions on how to use it in your meetings with Congress! Plus there will be a discussion of Medicare coverage for the current and new medications and procedures to treat Parkinson's, and how advocacy can influence coverage decisions. And more... Harold Jones is right: lobbying for full funding of the Udall Act is the number one priority of the Parkinson's community--and the Public Policy Forum is the number one way to personally and forcefully deliver that message to Congress! Don't wait--call, fax, write or email today for more information. Michael Claeys Community Outreach Coordinator Parkinson's Action Network 818 College Avenue, Suite C Santa Rosa, CA 94504 (800) 850-4726 - phone (707) 544-2363 - fax [log in to unmask] - email