BACK TO WORK AFTER A BUSY RECESS

Last week, federal legislators returned to D.C. after a busy August Recess!  During recess, MS Activists across the country met with nearly 60 offices to bring attention to the funding priorities of the MS community.  These priorities included: MS Research funding in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP); funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program that supports family caregivers.  This week, Congress is expected to pass a "Continuing Resolution" that will delay establishing final funding levels into early next year. Visits by MS Activists are still vital and help legislators stay informed on issues important to the MS community.  We’ve shown you some pictures from these visits and here’s another!

One of the August Recess visits was a visit from the Society's South Central Region with Congressman Pete Olson (TX-22), a member of the Congressional MS Caucus.  On August 28th, Congresman Olson and his district staff member, Trey, met with MS Activists and had an informed discussion about the improtance of MS Research funding.  Congressman Olson, his wife, and Trey and his wife have all ridden in the BP MS 150!  The BP MS 150 is a two-day 180 mile fundraising cycling ride, beginning in Houston, Texas and finishing in Austin, Texas. 
 

In the photo (left to right): Susan Newman (MS Activist), Alicia Barron (MS Society staff), Ron Brannigan (MS Activist), Congressman Pete Olson, Andrea Carter-Virtanen (MS Activist) and Jeff Armbruster (MS Activist).
 

We hope you've enjoyed the pictures of MS Activists with their members of August Recess. Thank you to all of the MS Activists who met with legislators and e-mailed us photos, as well as the legislators who took time to meet with the MS Activists!