Time running out for Kerry sponsored Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act

[_dynamicdems]

This bill was introduced in April of '05 by Tom Harkin and other senators including both of the awesome gentlemen from Massachusetts. Although the bill is bi-partisan and has the support of most of the Senate, it is stuck in committee.

Here's the link to the text of the bill:

http://www.christopherreeve.org/atf/cf/%7B219882E9-DFFF-4CC0-95EE-3A62423C40EC%7D/CRPA_SENATE.PDF?tr=y&auid=1889766

The Christopher Reeve Foundation is also hurting since most of their funding got cut recently. They are a good organization and without Christopher and Dana Reeve, it has been difficult for them to stay afloat. Please provide any support you can. Just buying Superman tags helps a little. (That's all I could afford to do, but I'm proud to wear them and tell people about the organization whenever I can. Even a link on your Web site or blog would also help them out.)

www.christopherreeve.org

Dear DynamicDems,


Last month, with the passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R.810), the paralysis community proved itself a force to be reckoned with on Capitol Hill. Now we must turn our powerful voice to another important piece of legislation that, for the first time, speaks directly to our community. We need your help in passing the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act (CRPA). There are precious few legislative days left once Congress returns from the August Recess on September 5th. This means the clock is running out on our efforts to pass the CRPA.

Please Go Forward with us in this push to capitalize on our efforts over the past 2 years – let's get the CRPA out of committee and on the floor for a vote when Congress returns from the August Recess.

The good news is that we know that the CRPA has been discussed in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee . Therefore, our first goal is to get the CRPA out of the HELP Committee, and on to the floor of the Senate for a vote in early September.

Please contact your Senators and Representative in the coming weeks. Call their offices in DC and speak to their Legislative staff, call their offices in your home state, and try to meet with them at any public appearances they may have over the recess. Ask for two things:

If he/she is already a CRPA co-sponsor, thank them and ask that they champion the bill with leadership to bring the bill to a vote.

If they are not a co-sponsor, ask them to become one and to further champion the bill with leadership to bring the bill to a vote.

This may be our last chance to pass the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act. We must Go Forward with the CRPA now, in Christopher and Dana Reeve's honor, and usher it all way to the White House.

Please share this message with anyone you know that might help us get this act passed. Every call to Congress matters. Thank you again for your help, and please let us know about your efforts.

Sincerely,


Kathy Lewis
President and CEO
Christopher Reeve Foundation

[wisteria]

1. What can we do to help move this bill along? n/t

[_dynamicdems]

2. This is what they want us to do:

Please contact your Senators and Representative in the coming weeks.

Call their offices in DC and speak to their Legislative staff, call their offices in your home state, and try to meet with them at any public appearances they may have over the recess.

Ask for two things:

1. If he/she is already a CRPA co-sponsor, thank them and ask that they champion the bill with leadership to bring the bill to a vote.

2. If they are not a co-sponsor, ask them to become one and to further champion the bill with leadership to bring the bill to a vote.

------------------

Since this is bi-partisan and 76 senators have co-sponsored the bill, it should be just a matter of (excuse the expression) riding the asses of the sponsors and urging the other 24 to get on board. Make sure they know where you stand and what you expect when Congress comes back into session.

They have a lot to accomplish in a little time and something like this can easily get pushed aside unless they hear a lot of noise on the issue.

[blm]

3. Please share with GD as an action for Monday morning.

You might want to put it up Sunday and we'll kick it thru for Monday and Tuesday. Skinner may allow a pin for this.

[_dynamicdems]

4. Will do. I'll let you know when it's up and ask for a kick. Thanks! n/t