[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 118 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1847]]



         TRIBUTE TO DOROTHY KIRSTEN FRENCH AND RICHARD K. EAMER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 13, 1999

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dorothy 
Kirsten French and Richard K. Eamer, co-founders of The John Douglas 
French Alzheimer's Foundation; and to Dennis F. Holt for his 
philanthropic work in advancing the research of causes of Alzheimer's 
disease.
  I am happy to report that on Sunday, October 24, 1999, The Founding 
Associates will celebrate its 15th anniversary during a special 
ceremony that will honor Dennis F. Holt, Chairman and CEO of Western 
International Media, Inc., and an active member of the Board of 
Directors of The John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation. Mr. Holt 
has engaged in philanthropic work to advance research in the causes of 
Alzheimer's Disease. He has donated $2 million of broadcast time 
towards public service announcements in 24 markets. He is a 
distinguished leader in changing the nature of advertising and media 
buying practices. Mr. Holt is an inspiration in perseverance and 
triumph over adversity. He demonstrates an uncommon commitment to help 
others and exemplifies this commitment with The John Douglas French 
Alzheimer's Foundation.
  Dorothy French and Richard Eamer co-founded The John Douglass French 
Alzheimer Foundation to honor Dorothy's husband Dr. John Douglas, co-
founder of UCLA's Brain Research Institute, and who sadly became a 
victim of Alzheimer's disease himself in 1989.
  Since 1983, the John French Alzheimer's Foundation has been dedicated 
to finding the cause and cure of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of 
dementia. The foundation has raised more than $18 million through its 
fundraising efforts, and has helped to fund the work of such noted 
scientists as Dr. Stanley B. Pruisner, a 1997 Nobel Laureate.
  Alzheimer's is one of the most costly and debilitating of illnesses, 
afflicting more than four million Americans every year, slowly robbing 
them of their memory and ability to care for themselves. As our nation 
ages, and more and more families face this terrible disease, the need 
for organizations such as the John Douglas French Alzheimer Foundation 
will be increasingly important. I am pleased Congress has in recent 
years substantially increased the nation's investment in medical 
research. For the current budget year, fiscal 1999, Congress has 
approved a budget of $15.6 billion, a 14 percent increase, for the 
National Institute of Health, which leads the nation's biomedical 
research effort. This increase will fund important research into 
understanding and treating Alzheimer's and other diseases.
   Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in honoring 
Dorothy French, Richard Eamer, and Dennis Holt, three citizens 
committed to the finding of a cure for Alzheimer's disease and 
improving the lives of their fellow Americans.

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