[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 32 (Monday, March 8, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 447--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE 
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE SHOULD ISSUE A SEMIPOSTAL STAMP TO SUPPORT 
            MEDICAL RESEARCH RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

  Ms. MIKULSKI submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:

                              S. Res. 447

       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the 
     United States Postal Service should, in accordance with 
     section 416 of title 39, United States Code--
       (1) issue a semipostal stamp to support medical research 
     relating to Alzheimer's disease; and
       (2) transfer to the National Institutes of Health for that 
     purpose any amounts becoming available from the sale of such 
     stamp.

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
urging the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semipostal stamp to help 
raise money for Alzheimer's research. A semipostal stamp will fund new 
research while also raising public awareness about this devastating 
disease.
  Finding new ways to treat Alzheimer's should be a national priority. 
The disease not only harms patients and their families, it strains our 
health care system as well. Every 70 seconds, someone in America 
develops Alzheimer's. An estimated 5.3 million Americans have 
Alzheimer's disease, including one in eight people over 65. The direct 
and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, 
Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year. By 
2050, this disease is likely to affect more than 11 million people 65 
and older--unless we can find a medical breakthrough.
  In addition to this resolution, I am also the sponsor of the 
Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act. The act would increase overall funding 
for Alzheimer's research at NIH, establish a national summit to 
identify priorities and maximize resources in our fight for better 
treatments and a cure, and expand the Alzheimer's State Matching Grant 
Program. I am hopeful the Senate will pass the Breakthrough Act this 
year in addition to the resolution I am introducing today.
  A semipostal stamp is one more way each of us can help in the fight 
against Alzheimer's. Proceeds from the stamp's sales would fund 
Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health. By paying 
more than the normal postage rate for this stamp, the public could 
contribute directly to the search for a new treatment or even a cure. I 
ask my colleagues today to join me in the fight against Alzheimer's and 
support this resolution.

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