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At 08:50 AM 5/7/98 -0400, Ken Aidekman wrote: >. . . till it's over, folks. Yes, Ken, and not only that, but ......there is a lot to be said for riding= a winner to the finish line.=A0 I believe that we can be winners and we will= be cheering at the finish line for our very special winner!!!=A0=20 All the hard work and enthusiasm that brought us the "authorization" has to= be tripled and we have to go up to the window and buy as many tickets as we can for the "long shot" (all you horse racing experts have to forgive me for= using terminology I know nothing about).=20 To come to the finish line, there is a desperate need for at least two= persons per state who can fit (most of) the following qualifications: 1/- have about 10 hours per week that can be dedicated to the to job 2/- have telephone, email, fax 3/- is a leader/member of an active PD support group 4/- is a member of professional, social or religious associations=20 5/- knows or is interested in the basic political system 6/- has been a grassrooter, has corresponded with, spoken to Members of Congress 7/- can be mobile, can drive or has someone who can transport materials to= the post office, people to meetings, etc What is the job description? Will be asked to establish a network of grassrooters in the state by contacting individuals or support groups in designated areas, key political districts,= to involve as many people as possible in mass action to bring the PWP's plight= to the attention of the Congressional Members and the media.=A0 The mass action= may be getting signatures on Petitions, writing letters to senators or representatives, making phone calls (some toll free), attending meetings, keeping up to date in a loosely woven web of national organizations.=A0=20 Some job skills necessary for optimal performance: organizational skills, people skills, creative problem solving, enjoying challenges, prefers to= work without supervision, can remain neutral in a possibly emotionally charged environment, has the ability to see the "whole" rather than the minutia, develop connections with the local media, etc=A0=A0=20 Areas needing immediate coverage: states & districts of the Republican= Senate and House Labor/HHS subcommittee members. We are only talking about 12 States - for this FIRST effort. Arkansas=A0=A0=A0 -=A0 Sen Bumpers, Rep. Dickey - 4th district (Hot Springs,= Pine Bluff, Texarkana, El Dorado) Florida=A0=A0 -=A0 Rep Young -10th district (St. Petersburg, Indian Rocks= Beach, Largo) ,=20 Florida=A0 -=A0 Rep. Miller - 13th district (Sarasota, Bradenton)=20 Hawaii=A0 -=A0 Sen. Inouye Idaho -=A0 Sen. Craig Illinois=A0 -=A0 Rep Porter - 10th distinct (Wilmette, Deerfield, Waukegan, Arlington Heights)=20 Kentucky=A0 -=A0 Rep. Northup- 3rd district (Louisville) Missouri=A0 -=A0 Sen. Bond Mississippi=A0 -=A0 Sen Cochran,=A0 Rep. Wicker - 1st district (Booneville,= Tupelo) N. Carolina=A0 -=A0 Sen Faircloth New Hampsire - Sen Gregg Oklahoma=A0 -=A0 Rep Istook - 5th district (Oklahoma City, Bartlesville,= Ponca City) Pennsylvania=A0 -=A0 Sen Specter,=A0 Jim Cordy has PA well organized for a= big bash in Ali & Specter's honors, May 17-18! Texas=A0 -=A0 Rep Bonilla - 23 district ( San Antonio,Del Rio,=A0 El Paso &= Laredo), Sen Hutchison Washington=A0 -=A0 Sen Murray, Sen Gorton PLEASE put this, or any similar messages on ALL the home web pages and ask= the cyber travelers to call: PAN - Michael Claeys 1-800-850-4726,=A0 NPF- Bill Turenne 1-800-331-4673,=A0 APDA - Paul Smedberg 1-800-684-732 I cannot emphasize enough that we are facing a crisis unless we step up and assume responsibilities not ONLY for our home turf.=A0 There is so much to= do to help each PWP and Carer,=A0 but unless we secure the full funded Udall Act,= we will be sinking into a bigger and darker abyss.=A0 The same argument holds= true for us as we present to the politicians: an investment of $/time now will save=A0 us many multiples in the=A0= future.=A0=20 And yes, it will be a lovely time in DC in June, but only if we have= prepared and collected those signatures; met and established a relationship with the member or at least the aid; set up an appointment for constituent(s) to see the member to personally present the signed petitions and take a picture.=A0= After that, we can sit back and enjoy meeting each other and trading "war" stories.=A0 There is not much time -- step= forward now and dedicate the next 4 weeks to the cure of PD! How can we not??? Margaret At 08:50 AM 5/7/98 -0400, Ken Aidekman wrote: >. . . till it's over, folks. > >Sure the bill passed and it's now law.=A0 We worked hard and achieved our >goal . . . almost. > >The goal is to cure PD.=A0 The means is money.=A0 Congress has shown they= are >willing to help but we still have work to do to turn authorization of >funding for research into REAL DOLLARS.=A0 We do it through the >appropriations process. > >DON'T QUIT NOW! >The next few weeks are critical. > >Q:=A0 But what can I do? > >A:=A0 This gets a bit more complex than convincing your Congressman to >co-sponsor the bill.=A0 What we need is to keep pushing the Appropriations >Committee members in both houses of Congress that the Udall Act be FULLY >FUNDED. > >Q:=A0 But my Congressman is not on an Appropriations Committee.=A0 As much= as >I'd like to, there's nothing I can do at this point to help. > >A: BALONEY!!! >You can contact a friend, relative, business associate (even someone you >don't like so much) in a critical Congressman's district to give a PUSH. > >Q:=A0 When? > >A:=A0 Now!=A0 The second half of May and into June is critical.=A0 It's= "mark-up" >time for the appropriations bill.=A0 Congress is attaching numbers to all >those budget items.=A0 If we don't push hard now, you can kiss another year >good-bye.=A0 Do we want all the effort we put into passing the Udall bill= to >go to waste?=A0 NO. > >Want an example? > >Congressman Bill Young of Saint Petersburg, Florida is on the >appropriations committee in the House.=A0 His fellow Republican, John= Porter >- also from Florida, is the Chair of the committee.=A0 Young has= considerable >influence with Porter but Porter is Mr. Anti-Earmarking.=A0 We need Bill >Young, a co-sponsor, to exert some influence on John Porter to fully fund >the Udall Act. > >Does anybody on this list know anybody in Saint Pete?=A0 Does anybody know >anyone who knows someone in St. Pete?=A0 Does anyone do any business with a >company from there?=A0 Does anyone have a daughter who has a friend who= dated >Bill Young's son? > >Heck, I don't even know if Bill Young has kids, but you get the message,= no? > >If you can help, please contact Paul Smedberg at APDA, NOW!=A0 APDA has a >very active group down in St. Pete but a lot of them are snowbirds who have >returned to the North in the spring.=A0 The few left think that the "fat= lady >has sung" and there isn't much left for them to do. > >Please help yourself by getting this darn bill funded. > >Contact Paul at APDA, Bill Turenne at NPF and Michael Claes at PAN to offer >your help.=A0 We need help in Clinton country - ARKANSAS - as well. > >And while you're at it.=A0 Please come to Washington in June.=A0 It's= beautiful >- not as hot as July.=A0 Sign up for the Advocacy Forum hosted by the >Parkinson's Action Network.=A0 There's a lot to do and you will meet the >nicest people in the world - like ME! > >REMEMBER:=A0 IT AIN'T OVER. > >-Ken Aidekman > >Fund the Research. >Find the Cure. > >Parkinson's Unity Walk:=A0 <http://www.phontonetwork.com/walk>www.phontonetwork.com/walk >=20 [log in to unmask] DOB: 1941/Dx: 1980/Cured:ASAP Slogans wont do it/Hard work will