Advocacy Alert: 08/17/2005 

In response to requests from the CFIDS Association of America, 12 members of Congress signed on to an August 8, 2005 letter expressing concern about federal programs for chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS). They asked Secretary for Health Michael Leavitt to act on a set of recommendations submitted a year ago by the Department of Health and Human Services Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee. The committee meets next on September 12, 2005.

You can view the letter from these 12 U.S. representatives at http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/leavitt-2005.pdf:

Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Rep. Bernie Sanders (At large-VT)
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Rep. John McHugh (R-NY
Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)
Rep. Gene Green (D-TX)
Rep. Michael McNulty (D-NY)
Rep. Jan Shakowsky (D-IL)

The Association is working to secure a companion letter from members of the U.S. Senate. Participants in the Association's May 12, 2005 Lobby Day were instrumental in securing the support for this letter and others that have been sent to Secretary Leavitt by individual members of Congress. Learn more about this year's Lobby Day activities at http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2005/ld-june05.asp.

Thank you for participating in CFIDS advocacy!

Kim McCleary
President & CEO
The CFIDS Association of America