Michael J. Fox on Capitol Hill

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The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research was officially launched on Capitol Hill yesterday, a day before the star's farewell episode of "Spin City" (which airs tonight on ABC at 9 p.m. ET). "Our goal is obsolescence," Fox, 38, said at a news conference. "To be able to offer up my story, as much as it is uncomfortable, (is) a tremendous privilege." Fox, who kept his condition private for years, disclosed in PEOPLE magazine two years ago that since 1991 he has been suffering with the degenerative disease. (Parkinson's also affects such other personalities as Muhammad Ali, "Golden Girl" Estelle Getty and Attorney General Janet Reno.) Fox left "Spin City" to head his foundation (http://www.michaeljfox.org), which is merging with the Parkinson's Action Network and is pushing for increased government spending for research. "We're close," said Fox of finding a cure for Parkinson's, "we're really close."