[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 182 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH

  (Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, as the President has designated this month 
as National Family Caregivers Month, I rise to give honor and to 
recognize the tens of millions of Americans and the million New 
Jerseyans who provide loving care for family members and friends living 
with disabilities and illnesses.
  Caregiving is not easy. The caregivers themselves face physical and 
mental health complications. Some are working with almost unbelievable 
endurance. Some of these caregivers are part of the ``sandwich'' 
generation, providing care for their children as well as their parents. 
There are economic costs as well. U.S. employers estimate the cost to 
be about $34 billion a year in lost productivity.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues here in Congress to 
provide caregivers with the help they need--respite care, a 
reauthorized Older Americans Act, tax credits. Just because the CLASS 
Act will not be implemented does not mean the need to provide care will 
go away. We have work to do.

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