In response to the action alert, and Richard's kind permission to share
his testimony, we are sending this letter to our Congress persons, with
appropriate modifications for Sen. DeWine, who WAS a Udall sponsor, and
Rep. Boehner who was NOT.
********
<fontfamily><param>Script_MT_Bold</param><bigger>Peter and Camilla
Flintermann
</bigger>6135 <bigger>Fairfield Rd., Apt. </bigger>25
<bigger> Oxford, OH, </bigger>45056
<bigger> 1/14/99
e-mail:</bigger></fontfamily><fontfamily><param>Times</param>
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</fontfamily><fontfamily><param>Palatino</param>Dear Senator
Voinovich:
As our brand-new Senator, with many issues to "catch up" on, you are
probably not aware of the history of the Morris K.Udall Act ,which was
passed last year to provide increased research funds for Parkinson's
Disease. I hope the enclosed copy of testimony in the Senate's Labor,
Health and Human Services Subcommittee will be of interest, as you work
your way into your new responsibilities.
My beloved husband of 55 years, now nearly 81 years old, has had
Parkinson's for some 10 years, so is of course not one of the "Young
Onset Parkinsonians" like Richard Pikunis, who testified at the request
of Sen. Specter. We are however, very concerned that the National
Institutes of Health have not fully implemented funding for the Udall
Act following its successful authorization by the last Congress.
We, like others in Congress and in the Parkinson community, are
concerned that, to date, funding for Parkinson's-focused research has
not increased in a fashion consistent with Congressional intent.
The 105th Congress demonstrated strong support for biomedical research
when it approved a $2 billion increase for NIH for Fiscal 1999, far
exceeding the original budget submitted to Congress last February by
the President. Congress' commitment to NIH is clear, and it expects an
equal commitment by the NIH to the letter and spirit of the laws
approved by the Congress. The Congress has unequivocally stated its
expectation that the NIH provide at least $100 million for
Parkinson's-focused research, in the Morris K. Udall Act of 1997 and
the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal 1999. And the Congress has
provided sufficient funding to ensure that NIH has the resources to
meet that commitment. It is our hope that you will do everything in
your power to see that the NIH follows through on its obligation to
Congress and to the million-plus Americans now living with this
terrible, incurable, disease.
Please read Mr. Pikunis' testimony, and you will realize the financial
implications for our society as the Baby Boomers (like Pikunis and
Michael J. Fox) are affected. Best wishes to you, in your new and
challenging role.
Sincerely,
Peter and Camilla Flintermann
</fontfamily>. ********
You may note that I swiped a few sentences from the "sample letter"
posted here recently. Thanks!
Camilla Flintermann, CG for Peter 80/70/55
Oxford, Ohio
http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/camilla/one.htm
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"Ask me about the CARE list for
Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! "
