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From: Kelly Abbett <[log in to unmask]>
To: "*Panlist (E-mail)" <[log in to unmask]>
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Subject: Action Update from the Parkinson's Action Network
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 18:42:46 -0500
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Parkinson's Action Network
Action Update - March 22, 1999


Representatives Come Together for Parkinson's

Marking another historic first in the fight to cure Parkinson's, Members
of the U.S. House of Representatives have formed the Congressional
Working Group on Parkinson's Disease.  The purpose of this bipartisan
group is to raise awareness among Members of Congress, their staffs and
the public on issues related to Parkinson's - including increasing
federal funding for Parkinson's research and better directing its focus.
This informal group will work to promote legislation, monitor and
arrange briefings, and disseminate information.

In its first official action, the Working Group sponsored a
Congressional briefing on March 4 to inform Members and staff about the
state of Parkinson's research.  Titled "Parkinson's Disease: The Facts
and the Future Promise of Research," this informative and well attended
briefing included presentations by respected Parkinson's researchers Dr.
Curt Freed of the University of Colorado and Dr. Jay Schnieder of
Pennsylvania's Jefferson Medical College.  Also featured were Roll Call
Executive Editor and Parkinson's advocate Morton Kondracke and Network
President Joan Samuelson.  This briefing was the first in a series to be
sponsored by the Working Group.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), whose father was diagnosed with
Parkinson's last year, opened the briefing with impassioned remarks
about the tragedy of Parkinson's and the urgent need for additional
research funding.  Rep. Maloney, Co-Chair of the Working Group with Rep.
Fred Upton (R-MI), has brought tremendous energy and leadership to the
formation of this bipartisan coalition of Representatives.

Joining Maloney and Upton as founding members of the Working Group are
Vice Co-Chairs Lane Evans (D-IN) and Joe Skeen (R-NM), and Executive
Committee Members Mark Udall (D-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Henry Waxman
(D-CA).  Additional members of the Group include Representatives William
Coyne (D-PA), William Delahunt (D-MA), Benjamin Gilman (D-NY), Sue Kelly
(R-NY), Connie Morella (R-MD), David Price (D-NC), Ronnie Shows (D-MS)
and Ted Strickland (D-OH).  Each of these Members deserve most sincere
thanks.

If your Representative is not listed above as a member of the Working
Group, contact him or her right away and urge them to join!  Interested
Representatives can contact Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney or Megan
Gordon at (202) 225-7944.


Dates Set for 1999 Public Policy Forum

The Network's Sixth Annual Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. is
scheduled for Sunday, June 27 through Wednesday, June 30 at the Hyatt
Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill.  Welcoming activists from across the
country and featuring updates on the latest scientific research,
intensive lobby training and opportunities to meet directly with
legislators, the Washington, D.C. Forum is the year's premier event for
the Parkinson's advocacy community.

More information on the 1999 Forum will be available soon, including
registration fees, discount room rates at the Hyatt Regency, and
scholarship opportunities.  All inquiries about the Forum should be
referred to the Network at (800) 850-4726.