PAN Mourns Loss of U.S. Sen. Charles “Mac” Mathias, Jr.

The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) today mourns the loss of former U.S. Senator Charles “Mac” Mathias, Jr.  Sen. Mathias passed away on January 25, 2010 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.  Sen. Mathias served the people of Maryland in the Senate from 1968 to 1986 as a moderate Republican.  He served in the U.S. House for eight years before running for Senate.

Sen. Mathias was present on May 22, 2002 at the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, when PAN Founder Joan Samuelson and Parkinson’s advocates Michael J. Fox and Muhammad and Lonnie Ali testified on the importance of funding Parkinson’s disease research.  Sen. Mathias’s support that day was noted by members of the Subcommittee, and his engagement clearly helped bring Parkinson’s disease research to the fore.

Sen. Mathias dedicated himself to preserving freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.  While he bucked party leadership, his support of measures supporting racial equality and equal rights for women was crucial.

“All PAN advocates are deeply saddened by the loss of Sen. Mathias,” said Amy Comstock Rick, PAN Chief Executive Officer.  “His commitment to Parkinson’s disease research in the face of living with the disease himself was vital to help secure funds for crucial research.  His support of measures for equality is greatly admired, and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, two sons, his entire family, and friends.”