Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) abruptly dropped his re-election bid Monday (September 30) - just five weeks before Election Day - after a year marked by questions of unethical behavior and corruption.

Putting party politics aside, it is always sad to see any person elevated to such a high position of public trust have to step aside because that trust might have been violated.

For now, let's leave the judgment and criticism to the political pundits. Besides, it's not nice to kick a person when they're down.

More importantly, as members of the ALS community, let's take a moment to remember that Sen. Robert Torricelli was the co-author of the legislation which waived the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage of people diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. The signing of this historic legislation into law in December 2000 was the result of a hard fought battle by ALS advocates and our allies in Congress.

"It has been almost three years since I began this fight on behalf of ALS patients," said Senator Robert Torricelli. "I am extremely proud that the day has finally come to eliminate this arbitrary and cruel restriction. This tremendous victory is long overdue and will literally improve the lives of thousands of people struggling to cope with the horrors of ALS. It will mean that no ALS patient will ever again be faced with the indignity of going bankrupt while waiting for Medicare assistance."

Only time will tell how history will choose to remember Sen. Torricelli and his years of service to the people. For now, let's choose to remember that when we needed someone to go to bat for us in Washington, Sen. Torricelli not only stepped up to the plate-- he hit one out of the ballpark for all of us whose lives have been forever changed by ALS.

And for that, Senator Torricelli, we thank you.