[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 20, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H10372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ALZHEIMER'S

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, have you ever put down your car keys 
and just 1 hour later forgotten where you left them? Have you ever 
forgotten the answer to the question for what you had for lunch 
yesterday? Well, fortunately, most everyone has experienced this very 
common type of forgetfulness. But imagine a person finding their car 
keys and forgetting what they are used for. Persons suffering with 
Alzheimer's Disease suffer similar memory losses. And as the disease 
progresses, forgetfulness can become more destructive. Alzheimer's 
affects approximately 4 million Americans now, and experts predict that 
about 8 to 10 million will suffer from Alzheimer's by the year 2020.
  By stating that he was beginning the journey that would lead him into 
the sunset of his life, former President and Republican revolutionary 
Ronald Reagan announced to the world just 5 years ago that he too has 
been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Ronald Reagan felt it necessary to 
share this disclosure with those he loved most, the American people. As 
valiantly as Ronald Reagan, my colleagues, I am sure, will promote 
greater public awareness about the disease of Alzheimer's.

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