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Perry D. Cohen, Ph.D. 202-686-9430 (voice/fax) 3914 Harrison St. NW Washington, DC 20015 [email protected] (email) January 7, 1999 Sylvin Mr. John Podesta, Chief of Staff The White House 1600 Pensylvania Avenue Washington DC TDP Dear Mr. Podesta: Following our discussions with you and Chris Jennings last year, the Parkinson's community seeks the continued support of the President. On my behalf and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, American Parkinson Disease Association, the National Parkinson Foundation, and the Parkinson's Action Network, I ask that the President include language in the press release accompanying his Fiscal Year 2000 Budget which expresses his intent to carry out the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act (P.L. 105-78). The Udall Act, signed into law by President Clinton on November 13, 1997, authorized up to $100 million in Parkinson's focused research. The Parkinson's community intends to work closely with our Congressional supporters and the NIH in the coming years to ensure that the Congressional authorization and intent are fully implemented. We believe that the following language [under the "Areas of Research Emphasis" or "Examples of FY 2000 Initiatives" section] of the press release explaining the Fiscal Year 2000 Budget is appropriate and would be effective to implement the Udall Act: "Pursuant to the Udall Act (P.L. 105-78) and as a memorial to Congressman Morris K. Udall, funds in the President's FY 2000 budget request include $100 million for a heightened focus on direct Parkinson's disease research. This increased emphasis reflects the President's conviction that the momentum from last year's gene and other discoveries be seized and used to accelerate the transfer of new knowledge into innovative treatments and a cure for the millions of Americans suffering from Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders." This language would complement the overwhelming bipartisan congressional support for the Udall Act, recognize the recent major advances in Parkinson's research, and further honor the memory of one of America's most respected political figures. Sincerely, Perry D. Cohen, Ph.D.