Monday, March 15, 2010

2010 Public Policy Conference a Success




The Society’s 19th annual Public Policy Conference was an absolute success and we thank the over 300 MS activists who traveled to Washington to advance our 2010 legislative priorities. Before visiting over 350 offices on Capitol Hill, conference participants were fortunate to see and hear from notable and prominent members of Congress including Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15) and Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-2), as well as a keynote address delivered by Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy Kareem Dale.

In addition to program participation, Senator Sherrod Brown (OH), Representative Chris Van Hollen (MD-8th), and Governor Jack Markell (DE) each attended to accept the Society’s awards for 2009 Senator, Representative, and Governor of the Year.

During their Capitol Hill visits, activists urged their federal lawmakers to increase MS research funding in the CDMRP; fully fund the Lifespan Respite Care Act; and support the National MS and Parkinson’s Disease Registries Act. The Society also had much needed support from activists back at home, with nearly 2,700 messages sent to reinforce activists’ messages on Capitol Hill. Your work is already paying off, through increased support for our priorities and increased membership in the MS Caucus.

A resounding thank you to all who participated and supported the 2010 Public Policy Conference. Together, we can create a world free of MS.

1 comment:

Liberty Watchman said...

Why do 'public policy' forums always equate to demanding more federal funding for this or that?

Folks, we have got to come to our collective senses about this. Decades of federal budget deficits are on the verge of collapsing our entire economy. If you don't think so, Google what is happening in Greece. We are not far behind at all.

Sure it would be nice if the federal government increased funding for all manner of MS research. I'm an MS sufferer. I'd like that. I'd also like a pony. Maybe the government should buy us all ponies too!

The reality is that the gravy train days are over. A broad majority of Americans want federal spending reigned in substantially. By standing with open palm before the Congress, The MS Society is alienating the American people. The very people who are more generous than any nation and would give more to the society directly than the federal government ever could, were it not for the fact that the government taxes them so heavily.