Psoriasis Resolution Introduced in U.S. Senate

[jshearer]

Senator Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Senator Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., have introduced a resolution (S. RES. 206) to recognize August as Psoriasis Awareness Month (http://www.psoriasis.org/files/pdfs/advocacy/2005_LLW_resolution.pdf). The Smith-Lautenberg resolution is the first psoriasis-specific resolution ever introduced in either the U.S. Senate or U.S. House!

To quote Senator Smith: "Awareness is a powerful force against the painful misconceptions that surround many medical problems. To the extent that we can increase the common understanding of this chronic disease, we can improve patients' lives."

Click here to read more about the Smith-Lautenberg resolution. (http://www.psoriasis.org/news/stories/2005/20050726_llw.php)

Please sign up for Local Lobby Week (http://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/lobbyweek/) to help us identify additional senators to "cosponsor" the Smith-Lautenberg resolution. You can find out more about Local Lobby Week, at the Local Lobby Week link (above).

This is a huge win for the psoriasis community. It's a direct result of our Capitol Hill Day (http://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/chd/2005.php) (we met with staff from both Senators' offices), and our historic nationwide letter-writing campaign. THANK YOU to everyone who participated!

As I said above, now the task at hand is identifying additional senators to support--to "cosponsor"--this resolution. Please sign up for Local Lobby Week! (http://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/lobbyweek/)

Stay tuned for more info about the Smith-Lautenberg resolution to recognize August as Psoriasis Awareness Month.

Thanks,
Joey

[chaimFL]

Wow, that's a big historical step for psoriasis!!

[screamatorium]

Yay! Maybe we need a parade now or something.

[rosy3939]

Hey Screamer that a great idea.

A flaker-tape parade. LOL.

Sucess is the residue of hard work. Go NPF and all those who helped with lobbing, writing letters and making phone calls. We are all in your debt.

For those who did none of the above. SHAME ON YOU, BUT ITS NOT TO LATE!

Mitch

[jshearer]

Mitch is right, it's not too late.

Sign up for Local Lobby Week! (http://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/lobbyweek/)

Anyone can participate--no political experience necessary!

[neese]

Thanks to all that went to CHD to inspire this to happen. I read it to be that it only pretains to *this* August and not every August into eternity but that's OK, it's a start.

And if psoriasis facts are more 'out there' contrary to when I was diagnosed maybe i wouldn't of avoided it and climbed so far into this shell i'm in about it -- and i hope awareness and getting the word out there will help especially the younger and newly diagnosed sufferers. And, most importantly getting funding into the right hands so we can find a friggin cure.

:)

[jshearer]

Feel free to use this thread to post who you're going to visit during Local Lobby Week.

You can identify your representative and two senators here, and then find their offices closest to you. (http://capwiz.com/psoriasis/dbq/officials/)

Or you can visit www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.

Sometime during Aug. 15-19, I'll be dropping off materials (or having meetings) at the following offices:

Senator Ron Wyden
Portland, OR
700 NE Multnomah St
Suite 450
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 326-7525

Senator Gordon Smith
One World Trade Center
121 SW Salmon St., Suite 1250
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503)326-3386

Rep. David Wu
620 SW Main, Suite 606
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 326-2901 - Phone

Some of you may only contact one or two congressional offices--that's ok--but show your support by posting here!

Thanks,

[Kimbercat]

Who says we can't make a difference?! :eek: Yaaayy for us!!! :D

[bratsareus]

Thats wonderful news.

[SandraJean]

Super news!!

Everyone can help with this local lobby week. As said, it's not too late. Just need to drop off paperwork for your representatives from your state at their local office in the area you live in. Try and make an appointment to see them when they are in their local offices. It's not hard to do and look at the rewards!!!

Sandy

[jshearer]

Where are all you folks in the Mid-West??? (http://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/lobbyweek/)

[ouchyk]

Joey,

Awaiting a call back from Will Johnson of Senator Kerry's office in Boston.

Sending off a letter with all the information to Ameilia Dugan at Senator Kennedy's office to obtain an appointment.

I expect to get appointments with both.

The offices were very courteous and helpful so far, I'm hoping for a face to face appointment with a senior staffers, as Kerry and Kennedy are not available to meet with me. :eek: lol...big surprise.

I understand that some people cannot make it to thier state offices for whatever reasons and hope that an option can be made for them.

However, I feel that when you meet with a staffer or congressman ( or woman ) in person and put a face with this disease and tell them why it is we need help, they seem to be more inclined to help. That was my experience in DC.

I keep reading on this site that we need reseach done in this and that area, how do we get this done if we can't get the word out that we even suffer? How are we to get funding from the NIH if no one steps up to the plate and asks?


Karen :)

[Ang]

Yesterday, I recieved a letter from Bill Frist, thanking me for my concerns on this health care issue. He said he would be back in touch. So for he has done what he told me he would.

Angela

[ladybloede]

I am planning on visiting Rep. Sensenbrenner, and Senators Feingold and Kohl of WI. Well, probably their staff anyway :p


mari

[abbyroad]

Joey,


The offices were very courteous and helpful so far, I'm hoping for a face to face appointment with a senior staffers, as Kerry and Kennedy are not available to meet with me. :eek: lol...big surprise.

Karen :)


too funny, Karen:
would like to get into see Sen. Dianne Feinstein, but don't think "Lady Di" will have time for me either!!! Okay, maybe Sen. Barbara Boxer...LOL
yes, I just signed up too and will be flying that week but will make the effort to drop material off at least!

and Mitch.....a flaker-tape parade!!! LMAO!!! :D :D :D


Abby

[SandraJean]

Hi everyone,

I have my letters out to the 3 representative here in my area and have heard from Randy Kulh's office. The said he may be busy in the month of August with his upcoming trip to Isereal, but they have me on their list to meet with either him or a staffer as soon as possibe.

Here are the names of the three members I've written to:

Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Charles Schumer
Representative Randy Kuhl.

Good luck to all fellows p and pa people in setting up your appointments and taking information in to them. We can all do this.

Sandy

[SandraJean]

bump................


Check out the front pages of this site. As of the 28th of July, August is now definitely Psoriasis Awareness Month!!

Great!!!!

Sandy

[jshearer]

As Sandy points out, late last week the U.S. Senate passed the resolution to recognize August 2005 as Psoriasis Awareness Month (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050801/sfm110.html?.v=16) by unanimous consent.

This will give us great momentum as we head into Local Lobby Week (http://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/lobbyweek/).

Please sign up if you haven't already.

Anyone can participate--there's no experience necessary. Just follow the 5 easy steps. (http://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/lobbyweek/)

Thanks,
Joey