SCHAFER AUTISM REPORT "Healing Autism:

No Finer a Cause on the Planet"

________________________________________________________________

Thursday, January 09, 2003

SPECIAL WASHINGTON RALLY COVERAGE

* Report From Washington Rally Yesterday (Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003)

* Burton Pushes To Repeal Thimerosal Lawsuit Restrictions

* CNN/AP Coverage: Parents Rally Against Vaccine Liability Provision

* NY Times Covers Protest Rally in two Paragraphs

* From Senator Dick Armey, the Man who Snuck in Eli Lilly Protection into Law

* List of Co-Sponsoring Senators of S105, Senators to Contact

* Poll: Should Americans be Able To Sue Companies That Make Vaccines?

Report From Washington DC Rally Yesterday (Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003)

Washington - Senator Stabenow (D-Mich) has introduced S-105 which will remove the vaccine component provisions that protected Eli-Lilly in the Homeland Security Act of last year. Senator Leahy (D-VT) was at Upper Senate Park outside the Russell Building endorsing Senator Stabenow's bill. Congressman Kucinich (D-OH) mentioned that Congress would also introduce a bill. Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) is supporting this bill and was at the rally today speaking as was Congressman Kucinich, Senator Stabenow and Senator Leahy. CNN TV, Fox News TV, Gannett newspapers among other media outlets were at the rally.

April Oakes, Dr. Yazbak, Lori McIlwain, Jo Pike gave stirring, emotional speeches and I spoke as well.

Dr. Yazbak and I went to the offices of Senators Corzine (D-NJ), Lautenberg (D-NJ), Clinton (D-NY), Kennedy (D-MA), Kerry (D-MA), Lott (R-MI), Grassley (R-IA), and Conrad (R-ND) to ask for their support of S-105. We personally talked to Senator Kerry, who was in his office at that time and he said he would definitely support S-105....without a doubt.

Please contact your Senators and ask them to support S-105.

Please let other parents and friends know about this so we can help our children.

_______________________________________________________

>> DO SOMETHING ABOUT AUTISM NOW <<

Subscribe, Read, then Forward the Schafer Autism Report.

No Cost!

_______________________________________________________

* * *

Burton Pushes To Repeal Thimerosal Lawsuit Restrictions

- Legislation Would Strike Thimerosal Provisions in Homeland Security ill -

[From Rep. Dan Burton's Congressional office.]

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) introduced legislation to repeal provisions tacked onto the Homeland Security Act last month that limit the rights of families of autistic children to sue for damages.

Late in the 107th Congress, provisions were added to the Homeland Security Act, sections 1714 to 1717, which cut off the ability of families to seek legal recourse against the manufacturers of Thimerosal. Many parents of autistic children believe that Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative use in vaccines, contributed to their children's condition.

Said Burton, "I want to remind my colleagues in the House that as we set our priorities for the first session of the 108th Congress, we have a looming crisis. It is an economic crisis to the education system, to health care systems, to long-term housing and care for the disabled, to un-addressed research needs and most especially to an increasing number of families across the country. This crisis is the Autism epidemic."

The prevalence of Autism has skyrocketed over the last two decades. Fifteen years ago one in every 10,000 children in America was autistic. Today one in every 250 children is autistic. One leading suspect is Thimerosal, a preservative that was used for decades to kill bacteria in vaccines and contains ethyl mercury. It has long been known that over-exposure to mercury can cause serious neurological problems in developing children. Additionally, Thimerosal is still being used as a preservative in several adult vaccines, including those given to men and women serving in the armed services through routine vaccinations.

Congressman Burton's legislation would repeal sections 1714 to 1717 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Congressmen Duncan, Paul, King and Kucinich, as well as Congresswoman Maloney, have joined Congressman Burton as original co-sponsors.

-------------------------

SAR Autism Resources

To List an event in The Autism Calendar - No Cost:

-------------------------

* * *

CNN/AP Coverage: Parents Rally Against Vaccine Liability Provision

Washington AP - Parents rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday against a law that protects vaccine makers, and Democrats promised to fight to repeal the measure.

The vaccine provision was attached to a bill creating a new Homeland Security Department, which President Bush signed into law in November.

The Republican-backed provision essentially shields vaccine makers from lawsuits concerning the use of the compound Thimerosal by requiring that claims go through a special federal program that pays limited damages for vaccine-related injuries, rather than through courts.

Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative once added to some childhood vaccines. Indianapolis, Indiana-based Eli Lilly, a major Republican Party contributor, was the biggest manufacturer of Thimerosal.

A spokesman for Eli Lilly, Ed Sagebiel, said the company had lobbied for the measure earlier but had no role in its placement in the homeland security bill. But Sagebiel added, "It's something we support now. We think it's good public policy."

Medical research has not established a link between autism and Thimerosal, but many parents believe the ingredient may be to blame. Scores of parents have filed lawsuits that claim that Thimerosal caused their children to develop autism or related nerve diseases.

Many of those parents on Wednesday held signs that said "Homeland Security Took Our Rights" and "Vaccine Injured." They accused Congress of stripping them of their rights.

"It's injustice at its worst," said Teri Small of Wilmington, Delaware, whose 4-year-old son was diagnosed with severe autism. "These are vulnerable, defenseless children who have been harmed irreparably."

Trish Desgroseilliers of Landenberg, Pennsylvania, said when she heard of the new law, "I was sad to think that our government is not protecting these children and that there are things going on behind closed doors that us as Americans are not privy to."

Several Democrats have already introduced legislation to repeal the measure.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, called the measure "government and politics at its worst."

"Shame on the Congress and the administration for allowing it to happen," Stabenow said.

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.

NY Times Covers Protest Rally

Several Democrats signaled today that they would begin trying to rescind various pro-business provisions that were inserted by Republicans late last year in the bill that created a Department of Homeland Security.

A group of parents who say a vaccine preservative may have caused their children's autism held a protest rally on Capitol Hill today, urging that one such provision, giving vaccine manufacturers immunity from lawsuits related to the issue, now be removed from the Homeland Security law, as Republicans have promised.

-------------------------

SAR Autism Resources

Free Readers' Post Listing

-------------------------

* * *

>From Senator Dick Armey, the Man who Snuck in Eli Lilly Protection into

>Law

ROBERTSON: There’s an additive [that some claim causes autism] that the drug companies have to put into various inoculations to keep them from being toxic, and you have been criticized as the man — as I remember, you stood up and said, "I’m proud of the fact that I got that into the legislation to exempt them from lawsuits." Could you tell us about that?

ARMEY: We have had a problem with getting vaccinations produced in America because of the lawsuits that have been brought against the companies. In 1998, I should remind people, Teddy Kennedy passed a bill that would relieve that sort of tort pressure on the companies so that we could have a reliable vaccine supply. The tort lawyers found a loophole by way of this additive, they’ve re-assaulted it, and I put in a correction that would reinstate the original Kennedy legislation to guarantee a reliable vaccine supply.

Now, the question that we’re talking about has not been validated by science or medicine as, indeed, a real connection or cause of autism. It’s a courtroom argument, but it’s not bolstered by any science and engineering. I felt my responsibility in homeland security was to address the question of a reliable vaccine supply for all of America on the best scientific arguments available. I frankly did dismiss the arguments of the tort lawyers that are seeking the opportunity for class-action lawsuits in deference to the testimony of the science community and, frankly, it was a necessary thing to put in there. It is something I’m proud that I did because we cannot let the tort lawyers define the conditions of science and medicine in America. They’ ll dumb it down as they’ve done so many other things.

ROBERTSON: Well, you know, I saw a piece on CBS News that seemed to act like there was a sinister plot between Eli Lily and, you know, Mitch Daniels and you, and everybody getting these enormous payoffs. That’s not true, is it?

ARMEY: Nah, it’s not true. And you know, the news, bless their hearts – I always laugh, I said, "The news media in America is staffed by young idealists and old cynics and it’s hard to tell which one is going to be least productive in producing the news."

-------------------------

SAR Autism Resources

-------------------------

* * *

List of Co-Sponsoring Senators of S105, Senators to Contact

If your State Senators are not on the list of co-sponsors you need to get busy and send out those faxes if you support this legislation.

The bill's language is short, confined pretty much to one page and says this:

Ms. Stabenow introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on ____________________________. A BILL to repeal certain provisions of the Homeland Security Act (Public Law 107-296) relating to liability with respect to certain vaccines, and for other purposes.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-

2 tives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled,

3 SECTION 1. REPEAL OF CERTAIN VACCINE LIABILITY PRO-

4 VISIONS

5 (a) IN GENERAL. ----The Homeland Security Act of

6 2002 (Public Law 107-296) is amended ---

7 (1) by repealing sections 1714, 1715, 1716, and

8 1717; and two

1 (2) in the table of contents, by striking the

2 items relating to sections 1714, 1715, 1716, and

3 1717.

4 (b) EFFECTIVE DATE. --- This section shall take effect

5 as though enacted as part of the Homeland Security Act

6 of 2002 (Public Law 107-296).

And that is it.

What the bill would mean if passed is that the vaccine liability protections now available to the manufacturers would be repealed as if the "Eli Lilly Rider" had not been attached and that anything that has happened since with regard to that rider affecting any pending lawsuits will be erased. Everything would go back to the way it was before the rider was signed into law by President Bush.

So here is a quick checklist:

Unlocking Autism is encouraging you to voice your opinion:

1) Contact both of the Senators from your state. Call them and fax them....every day...until you get the result that you want. Call and find out who the legislative aide for your Senators handles the issues of autism. Get to know them and get them to know you. Faxes are better than emails because they must be logged and require a response. Stay on them until you get a response and tell them to put their response in writing.

2) Send a fax specifically to Bill Frist to let him know that you want his support. In taking on the position he has now opened up his level of responsibility. When Senator Lott stepped down and Senator Frist assumed his throne, it did throw a bit of a wrench in the works for those who were hoping this issue would be revisited with the new Congress. But in a way, it is a good thing that has happened. Frist is more accountable to the American public than just his own constituency, which gives the autism community, and those damaged by vaccines, more power.

Senator Frist's Fax is: 202-228-1264

So, please be sure to send those letters in. Be sure to call. The best method for sending in a letter is to fax it in to the Senators offices because they have to log them. Emails are easily deleted but faxes must be handled and responded to.

We will be sending out update emails with the new co-sponsors listed fairly regularly until this bill becomes a law or is defeated.

The autism community, for those who were injured by vaccines, has been blessed with an opportunity to reverse some of the most egregious legislation ever passed in this country. It cannot be done by a few people, but it can be done through THE POWER OF ONE COMMUNITY...as long as they are consistent and determined.

This is definitely time to act.

The number assigned to Debbie Stabenow's bill is S 105.

The cosponsors as of yesterday were:

Sen Boxer, Barbara - 1/7/2003

Sen Daschle, Thomas A. - 1/7/2003

Sen Dayton, Mark - 1/7/2003

Sen Dodd, Christopher J. - 1/7/2003

Sen Dorgan, Byron L. - 1/7/2003

Sen Durbin, Richard J. - 1/7/2003

Sen Feinstein, Dianne - 1/7/2003

Sen Landrieu, Mary L. - 1/7/2003

Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. - 1/7/2003

Sen Leahy, Patrick J. - 1/7/2003

Sen Levin, Carl - 1/7/2003

Sen Sarbanes, Paul S. - 1/7/2003

List of Senator Fax Numbers

AK- Murkowski, Frank (R - AK) (202) 224-5301

Stevens, Ted (R - AK) (202) 224-2354

AL- Sessions, Jeff (R - AL) (202) 224-3149

Shelby, Richard (R - AL) (202) 224-3416

AR- Hutchinson, Tim (R - AR) (202) 228-3973

Lincoln, Blanche (D - AR) (202) 228-1371

AZ- Kyl, Jon (R - AZ) (202) 224-2207

McCain, John (R - AZ) (202) 228-2862

CA- Boxer, Barbara (D - CA) (202) 224-3553

Feinstein, Dianne (D - CA) (202) 228-3954

CO- Allard, Wayne (R - CO) (202) 224-6471

Campbell, Ben Nighthorse (R - CO) (202) 224-1933

CT- Dodd, Christopher (D - CT) (202) 228-1683

Lieberman, Joseph (D - CT) (202) 224-9750

DE- Biden Jr, Joseph (D - DE) (202) 224-0139

Carper, Thomas (D - DE) (202) 228-2190

FL- Graham, Bob (D - FL) (202) 224-2237

Nelson, Bill (D - FL) (202) 228-2183

GA- Cleland, Max (D - GA) (202) 224-0072

Miller, Zell (D - GA) (202) 228-2090

HI- Akaka, Daniel (D - HI) (202) 224-2126

Inouye, Daniel (D - HI) (202) 224-6747

IA- Grassley, Chuck (R - IA) (202) 224-6020

Harkin, Tom (D - IA) (202) 224-9369

ID- Craig, Larry (R - ID) (202) 228-1067

Crapo, Mike (R - ID) (202) 228-1375

IL- Durbin, Richard (D - IL) (202) 228-0400

Fitzgerald, Peter (R - IL) (202) 224-8964

IN- Lugar, Richard (R - IN) (202) 224-7877

Bayh, Evan (D - IN) (202) 228-1377

KS- Brownback, Sam (R - KS) (202) 228-1265

Roberts, Pat (R - KS) (202) 224-3514

KY- McConnell, Mitch (R - KY) (202) 224-2499

Bunning, Jim (R - KY) (202) 228-1373

LA-Breaux, John (D - LA) (202) 224-2435

Landrieu, Mary (D - LA) (202) 224-9735

MA- Kennedy, Edward (D - MA) (202) 224-2417

Kerry, John (D - MA) (202) 224-8525

MD- Mikulski, Barbara (D - MD) (202)224-8858

Sarbanes, Paul (D - MD) (202) 224-1651

ME- Collins, Susan (R - ME) (202) 224-2693

Snowe, Olympia (R - ME) (202) 224-1946

MI-Levin, Carl (D - MI) (202) 224-1388

Stabenow, Debbie (D - MI) (202) 228-0325

MN- Wellstone, Paul (D - MN) (202) 224-8438

Dayton, Mark (D - MN) (202) 228-2186

MO- Bond, Christopher (R - MO) (202) 224-8149

Carnahan, Jean (D - MO) (202) 228-1518

MS- Cochran, Thad (R - MS) (202) 224-3576

Lott, Trent (R - MS) (202) 224-2262

MT- Baucus, Max (D - MT) (202) 228-3687

Burns, Conrad (R - MT) (202) 224-8594

NC- Helms, Jesse (R - NC) (202) 228-1339

Edwards, John (D - NC) (202) 228-1374

ND- Dorgan, Byron (D - ND) (202) 224-1193

Conrad, Kent (D - ND) (202) 224-7776

NE- Hagel, Charles (R - NE) (202) 224-5213

Nelson, Ben (D - NE) (202) 228-0012

NH- Gregg, Judd (R - NH) (202) 224-4952

Smith, Bob (R - NH) (202) 224-1353

NJ- Torricelli, Robert (D - NJ) (202) 224-8567

Corzine, Jon (D - NJ) (202) 228-2197

NM- Bingaman, Jeff (D - NM) (202) 224-2852

Domenici, Pete (R - NM) (202) 224-7371

NV- Reid, Harry (D - NV) (202)224-7327

Ensign, John (R - NV) (202) 228-2193

NY- Schumer, Charles (D - NY) (202) 228-3027

Clinton, Hillary (D - NY) (202) 228-0282

OH- DeWine, Mike (R - OH) (202) 224-6519

Voinovich, George (R - OH) (202) 228-1382

OK- Inhofe, James (R - OK) (202) 228-0380

Nickles, Don (R - OK) (202) 224-6008

OR- Smith, Gordon (R - OR) (202) 228-3997

Wyden, Ron (D - OR) (202) 228-2717

PA- Santorum, Rick (R - PA) (202) 228-0604

Specter, Arlen (R - PA) (202) 228-1229

RI- Chafee, Lincoln (R - RI) (202) 228-2853

Reed, Jack (D - RI) (202) 224-4680

SC- Thurmond, Strom (R - SC) (202) 224-1300

Hollings, Ernest (D - SC) (202) 224-4293

SD- Daschle, Thomas (D - SD) (202) 224-7895

Johnson, Tim (D - SD) (202) 228-5765

TN- Frist, William (R - TN) (202) 228-1264

Thompson, Fred (R - TN) (202) 228-3679

TX- Gramm, Phil (R - TX) (202) 228-2856

Hutchison, Kay Bailey (R - TX) (202) 224-0776

UT- Bennett, Robert (R - UT) (202) 228-1168

Hatch, Orrin (R - UT) (202) 224-6331

VA- Warner, John (R - VA) (202) 224-6295

Allen, George (R - VA) (202) 224-5432

VT- Jeffords, James (I - VT) (202) 228-0776

Leahy, Patrick (D - VT) (202) 224-3479

WA- Murray, Patty (D - WA) (202) 224-0238

Cantwell, Maria (D - WA) (202) 228-0514

WI- Feingold, Russell (D - WI) (202) 224-2725

Kohl, Herb (D - WI) (202) 224-9787

WV- Byrd, Robert (D - WV) (202) 228-0002

Rockefeller IV, John (D - WV) (202) 224-7665

* * *

Poll: Should Americans be Able To Sue Companies That Make Vaccines?

Wolf Blitzer, CNN, is taking a poll on whether Americans should be able to sue companies that make vaccines. As of 6:30pm est Wednesday, 67% say yes.

What Do You Think? Exercise your vote and visit this website:

_______________________________________________________

>> DO SOMETHING ABOUT AUTISM NOW <<

Subscribe, Read, then Forward the Schafer Autism Report.

No Cost!

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Lenny Schafer, schafer@sprynet.com Kay Stammers Edward Decelie

CALENDAR EVENTS@doitnow.com Michelle Guppy Ron Sleith

++ To Unsubscribe, Send an email to unsubscribe@doitnow.com ++