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Dear TSA Members and Friends:
This is an urgent message, which needs your immediate attention. TSA is calling on you to take action against strategic reforms which are becoming politically difficult for Members of Congress, concerning the Appropriations Request for fiscal year 2010.
Realizing that Congress and the administration are under severe pressure, the current House and Senate Appropriation Committee Members will seek to allocate funds reflecting the competing needs of various segments of the U.S. population. With that said, it is our goal to secure continuous funding for TS education and supported activities during these unprecedented times.
For the past five years, Congress has been funding the Tourette Syndrome Public Health, Education and Research Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but in the month since Inauguration Day, Congress is beginning to implement appropriations procedural changes. This is affecting support among both Republican and Democratic Members. In addition to this challenge, the TS Community has lost two ardent Congressional Champions, who rallied support for our community. Former Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) will not be circulating a “Dear Colleague Letter” on our behalf, since they are no longer Members of this Congress.
The TSA has taken some steps to protect this vital program and we are asking you to stand with us in fighting for continuous funding. We need you to participate in a national writing campaign to raise your concerns. You will advocate for not just yourself, but for your community. A template letter is provided for you to modify and send to your Representatives in Congress. Call or Write to your Members of Congress through the TSA’s Website-Action Alert (click here for direct link).
We don’t want to have to imagine coping with the loss of these critical TSA/CDC services due to funding cuts. As you know, over the past few years, TSA has discovered a lack of knowledge about TS among the medical, allied professionals and educators throughout the country, and now, also governmental agencies. It is our mission to educate and increase the awareness of TS. However, we need your help to secure the federal resources that will continue to make the training and education available in your community.
Take Action Now:
1. View the draft letter provided in the attachment.
2. Add a personal statement to the draft, connecting you to TS or the TSA.
3. Send your letter via facsimile (be sure to send the TSA a copy) or electronically through the TSA/Capwiz program (access directly by clicking here).
Remember that federal policies are critically important to members of the TSA because federal resources are supporting the TS Public Health, Education and Research Program at the CDC. Thank you for your attention to this urgent message. I look forward to receiving copies of your letters via fax at 202-408-3260 or email to elridge.proctor@tsa-usa.org. You can call me with questions at 202-408-7009.
Sincerely,
Elridge Proctor
Director of Public Policy
©2007-2010 Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. / 42-40 Bell Boulevard / Bayside NY 11361 / 718-224-2999