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FEDERAL MENTAL HEALTH PARITY RALLY
at
THE U.S. CAPITOL

NAMI STATE ORGANIZATION FACT SHEET

PURPOSE: To demonstrate support for and encourage passage of federal mental health parity. To gain passage of S 543 and HR 4066, the Domenici-Wellstone and Roukema-Kennedy, respectively, mental health parity bills.

WHAT: Federal Parity Rally at the U.S. Capitol

WHEN: Thursday, June 6, 2002 12:00 Noon

WHERE: Front lawn of the U.S. Capitol at 1st Street between the Mall and the Capitol. Congressional visits at Capitol Hill offices should be scheduled to follow the rally.

WHO: NAMI members, leaders, staff- Includes members in targeted states of VA, DC, MD, PA, WV, DE, NJ, OH, KY, CT, MA, NYS, NYCM

Washington-based Coalition members from the Mental Health Liaison Group and the Fairness Coalition including organizations such as NAMI, the NMHA, APA, APNA, etc.

HOW: Area states are invited to organize buses to transport NAMI members to the Capitol. NAMI national will provide funding for transportation expenses as well as lunch for rally participants. Contact kgay@nami.org for travel reimbursement questions.

SCHEDULE: 10:00-11:30 am Buses arrive- designated drop-off locations tba.
.......................12:00-1:00 Rally
.......................1:00- 3:00 Congressional Hill Visits
.......................3:30- 4:00 Buses depart

LOGISTICS:
o It is recommended that persons wanting to participate and requiring an overnight stay would coordinate with "The George Washington University" which have good rates of $35 per person per night and great location. Detailed information and application are available upon request of the state office.

o States should arrange Congressional visits prior to the rally. For assistance with or information regarding Congressional visits, please notify Andrew Sperling at Andrew@nami.org . Leave-behind packets will be sent to state offices prior to the rally and should be distributed by a designated state office leader to members.

o NAMI members participating should be prepared for all weather conditions AND wear comfortable walking shoes. Water will be provided with lunch, but members are to be encouraged to bring their own as well.

o Boxed lunches and bottle water with lunch will be provided to NAMI members participating in the rally. Stickers and signage will be provided.

o There are literally hundreds of busses in the Capitol area this time of year. NAMI state offices will be encouraged to CLEARLY MARK their buses with signage in the front, sides and back of the buses to support clear communications for returning members.

o Maps of the Capitol area are included on the back of the flyer forms.

o Press releases and media materials will be distributed and available for state offices in the coming weeks.

o A memo and flyer are being mailed to all NAMI members in the selected nearby states.

QUESTIONS:
o Information on federal parity specifics - www.nami.org
o Information on the rally and current updates - www.nami.org
o Information on Congressional visits Andrew@nami.org
o Information on general rally questions Marie@nami.org
o Information on busing and lodging logistic Kgav@nami.org
o Other questions or queries - your State Office

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