Congressman Bobby L. Rush will hold an important press conference in Washington DC next week in support of his reintroduction of the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act (H.R. 1940). This will represent Rush’s third attempt to pass this crucial bill. (Let’s hope the third time’s the charm!)

Here is how you can get involved:

1. You can send Congressman Rush’s press release to your support networks, local media and anyone you feel might be interested in the news. If you’d like a copy of the release, or of the full text of the bill, email me at stonecallis@msn.com.

2. You can join Congressman Rush at the press conference. It will be held on May 5, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. (EST), in Washington D.C. in the Rayburn Building (Room 2218).

Joining Congressman Rush will be women who have suffered from postpartum depression including First Lady Mary Jo Codey, wife of Acting New Jersey Governor Richard Codey. Other congressional representatives are scheduled to attend. To accommodate everyone, please contact Tasha Harris at Tasha.Harris@mail.house.gov if you plan to attend by May 3, 2005.

3. The congressman has already secured the support of Postpartum Support International and they have been included in the news release. If your organization would like to be included, please send Tasha an email with the subject heading (We Support H.R. 1940) along with the name of the organization, and she’ll be sure to include your organization in the release.

4. Please feel free to distribute your own press release or statement in support of the reintroduction of the bill. If you can send Tasha copies on your organization’s letterhead, she’ll be sure to include it in the press packet. All letters/statements should be submitted by May 2, 2005.

5. Contact your congressman or senator in support of the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act. The following Web site can help you reach your representative.

<http://www.house.gov>
<http://www.senate.gov>