Dear Hossein,
January 18, 2022
I am delighted to hear the regular reports on the progress of your research. These studies have enormous potential in pushing forward the treatment of addiction and other conditions. I was equally delighted to see the attached article by Pilevari and colleagues based on Congress 60 related research. It warms my heart to see research related to Congress 60 published in prominent addiction journal published in the United States.
In that regard, Dr. George Kolodner, a prominent addiction psychiatrist in the U.S., contacted me recently regarding our study of smoking cessation in Congress 60. He is writing a book on nicotine addiction and was absolutely effusive in his praise of what Congress 60 is doing under your leadership this issue. He has asked me for two things: 1) the total number of people who have completed smoking cessation in Congress 60 since smoking cessation procedures and legion meetings began, and 2) some quotes from describing the experience of Congress 60 members with the smoking cessa procedures and what it has meant to their recovery from addiction and the larger area of physical and psychological health. Are these something you might be able to provide. I also think it would be good to provide him with your email address in case he would have further questions for you. Do I have permission to provide your email address to him. I think this could be an important opening in bringing your and our work to the American psychiatric and addiction medicine communities.
I am delighted that Ehsan was able to translate our interview for posting on your website. It is an important interview and we owe much to Ehsan for his faithful translations over these many years. Thank you, Ehsan.
I am reviewing a draft this week of a book my sister is writing. The book is drawn from the lessons she has learned over the past four decades working with people with physical and intellectual disabilities. It is a rare treat to get inside the life of a sibling and the work they have dedicated their life to. I come from a big family, with many of my siblings going into different service occupations—most in nursing and various counseling roles. My mother, who worked as a nurse for more than five decades, seems to have raised a large breed of caregivers.
Rita and I continue our isolation as the latest COVID pandemic surge in the U.S. and Florida particularly has not yet peaked. We are ranging between 50,000+ and 78,000+ new cases reported each day in the state of Florida. My days are spent writing, reading, doing online meetings with people, and enjoying time with sketching and painting. Life can be sweet—even in the middle of a pandemic—or maybe especially so in such circumstances.
I posted a tribute to our mutual friend Ernie Kurtz this week on social media. This week is the seventh anniversary of his passing and I still miss my regular communications with him. He shared my deep admiration of what you and members of Congress 60 are doing to support people seeking recovery from addiction. We even talked at one point of what a delight it would be if he and I could visit Congress 60 to learn from all that you are doing. I regret that he and I were not able to do that while Ernie was living.
Please extend my best wishes to your family and to all members of Congress 60.
Friends and Brothers Forever,
Bill