Thank You Senator Durbin

[DanCa]

I sent out an email asking Senator Durbin for greater support and more $$$ for research within the Parkinson community. This is the response that I got from this great, wonderful man. (Still no word from Obama.) I also want to sincerly thank senator Durbin for his effort on behalf of people with disabilities. Mr. Durbin I am proud to have you for a senator, and I look forward to our visit later this month.


February 7, 2006


Mr. Daniel xxxxxxxxx


Dear Mr. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thank you for your message regarding funding for Parkinson's disease research. I appreciate your taking the time to contact me.
I was a cosponsor of the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research,
Assistance, and Improvement Act. This legislation establishes a program within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the conduct and support of research and training, the dissemination of health information, and other programs concerning Parkinson's disease.

The Morris Udall Parkinson's Act authorizes a Parkinson's research program but does not appropriate research funds. It is left to the NIH, which does research on a variety of diseases and disabilities, including Parkinson's, to decide the appropriate level of funding for disease research, based on scientists' evaluations of each other's research proposals to determine which have the greatest promise.

I have been an active supporter of efforts to increase funding for the NIH. The Senate Appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (S. 1650), includes a proposed funding level of $17 billion for the NIH in FY 2000. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which is the primary institute conducting research on Parkinson's disease, received a proposed funding
level of $1,019,271,000 for FY 2000. This would represent an increase of nearly $116 million over FY 1999 for the NINDS.

I will continue to keep in mind your interest in this issue as I work with my colleagues to expand biomedical research. Medical advances made through these efforts offer hope to many who suffer from disease or disability. Again, thank you for your message. Please feel free to keep in touch.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. I like Durbin.

He deserves our support. One of the few.
Not so sure about Obama. He likes his press releases too much.

[DanCa]

4. Durbin is one of the few rock solid Dems that you can depend on

I am glad that he is on our side.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. Durbin is one of the good guys. A lot of Paul Simon rubbed off on him.

[DanCa]

3. He's also a Springsteen fan but seriously...

isn't it nice to hear good news about an Il Democrat for a change.