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Sample Letter for FY 2000 Appropriations The Honorable [First and Last Names] [United States Senate/United States House of Representatives] Washington, DC [20510/20515] Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name]: Like more than one million other Americans, I [my husband/wife/parent etc.] suffer[s] from Parkinson's disease — a devastating neurological disorder that destroys brain cells controlling the body's motor function. I ask that you do all you can to ensure that research focused on Parkinson's disease receives the funding called for by Congress within the fiscal year 2000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget. In 1997 the Congress overwhelmingly adopted the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act, historic legislation that authorized the NIH to devote up to $100 million per year for Parkinson's-focused research. To date that funding has not been appropriated — despite promising research and a compelling national need. Moreover, the NIH continues its disturbing practice of reporting to Congress funding totals for Parkinson's that include a significant amount of research — more than half! — that is not truly focused on Parkinson's disease as required by the Udall Act. I urge you to act this year to follow through on the promise of the Udall Act by adding to basic Parkinson's disease research the NIH is already conducting, specifically funding increases of $50 million for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and $25 million for the National Institute of Environment Health Science in the fiscal year 2000 Labor/HHS Appropriations bill. To provide the resources for these much needed increases, I urge you to support efforts to keep the NIH budget on track to double over five years. Please act this year on these important increases. Time is not neutral for people with Parkinson's — the disease is progressive, chronic and absolutely relentless — and we can't afford to wait any longer. Researchers are tantalizingly close to the cure, but finding it in time for those currently suffering requires the additional funding authorized by the Udall Act. I look forward to receiving your response. Sincerely, [Your Name, Organization, and Address] _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com