Honorable Congressman,

Please let me introduce myself, my name is Ron Riker and I have been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
or Lou Gerhig's disease. You are reading this letter now, because the disease has slurred my speech, although I can assure you,
it will not extinguish my voice or my determination to speak out.

My family, and friends have spent a considerable amount of time and money, so that I may appear before you today. I could only pray, that their efforts weren't spent in vain. They gave forth such effort, even while I am not physically able to speak, my voice may still be heard, here before you, today in Congress. I appear before you, not only for myself, but for the many who have sacrificed their lives before me, and the many that will sacrifice their lives to this disease, long after I am gone. I appear before you, to speak for the many thousands on ventilators or in nursing homes or who couldn't physically be here. I speak for millions of Americans, whose destiny is that of my own, but fate has not yet to decide it.

I appreciate the time you have taken to listen to us today, when we speak of the horror of Lou Gerhig's Disease.

Society, and the American Government however, view Lou Gehrig's disease, as something that happened to a famous Yankee ball player in 1941. While nothing, could be further than the truth. With all due respect to Mr. Gehrig and his legacy, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, was first recognized in 1874, just after The Civil War. While honoring a great baseball legend, by naming a disease after him, is admirable, it's also a great American myth. It leads future generations of American's to the false belief that we as a country, do not have a cure because the disease was not recognized until 1941. ALS is not only Lou Gerhig's Disease, but it is the disease shared by all of us, in front of you today, and the disease shared by our families, friends, neighbors and the communities that support us. It kills few, but affects all.

Few of us before you today, will not meet with you next year, because the disease will have claimed our lives and devastated our families.

Remember our faces. For few of us, will return.

You Sir, are a Member of the 108th Session of Congress. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was recognized by scientists during the terms served by the 43rd Congress. Still as we speak, there is no cure, for this horrible fate we and our loved ones must endure. Yet, we are Americans, and we embrace a freedom that no other country can provide.

The 43rd Congress knew of ALS, yet still there is not enough done in the manner of funding, for research on the disease. The 43rd Congress and those that preceded it, were aware of the fate of the terminally ill, yet still the Social Security System in this day and age, discriminates against us. Recent legislation before Congress, in the matter of the "Terminally ill Disability Beneficiary Act of 2003' or HR 976 provides that should a person be deemed with a terminal illness, it is only after he is expected to die within six months, will he be given his Social Security Disability without question.

John Hunter, a man diagnosed with ALS, was denied his Social Security Disability, because although he might die in three years, he walked to well today, to receive benefits he paid into, his entire working life. Sir, that man is dying, and this country denies his benefits.

Personally Sir, I have been ill for almost three years, and I am still engaged in fighting with Social Security for my benefits. I have been told I am dying and the Social Security Administration needs a year to determine if they will issue my benefits.

So with all due respect Sir, I ask you, why does any American have to fight his country for benefits from a system he paid into, when diagnosed with a terminal illness? Why does any American have to fight for Social Security for a year, when he is only expected to live three to five years?

Congressman, why do I have to constantly write and call your local offices, for your attention on this matter? Congressman, why do I have to meet with you in Washington, to hear an answer? Congressman, how many sessions of Congress does it take to get something done?

Congressman, how many more have to die?

It is said that there is no money in ALS, because so few American's die from such a rare disease, and yet the dead from ALS, could fill both Gettysburg and Arlington combined. Yet, nothing is being done.

I urge you to investigate into these matters. I urge you to speak on my behalf, as my elected official. I urge you to speak on the need for increased funding into research, prescriptions, social services and a way to a cure. I urge you to support universal health care, Social Security reform and stem cell research. I urge you to write the law so the terminally ill do not have to face both a death sentence from our bodies and yet, one from our country in return.

Sir, we live in a time of politically correct thinking and that soon will change. Americans will soon embrace an old fashioned logic, where we elect our politicians, not on stance, not on issue, and not on what they thought. The time will come once again, where we as Americans, will elect our officials, on what they have accomplished.

Sir, we respect, honor and remember great names like Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson. We do this in honor of the great accomplishments they have made for our government and our people. Will we remember your name?

I appreciate the time you have spent with us today, and look forward to speaking to you, in the future.

Sincerely,
Ron Riker