[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 139 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING NARFE CHAPTER 1270 OF WOODBRIDGE FOR ITS EFFORTS TO FUND 
                          ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 26, 2012

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Chapter 1270 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees 
Association (NARFE) in Woodbridge, Virginia, and to commend its members 
for raising $16,552 for Alzheimer's disease research in 2011.
  Founded in 1921, NARFE is the only membership organization solely 
dedicated to leading an advocacy effort to protect and preserve the 
benefits of federal workers and retirees. The national organization 
consists of more than 1,300 chapters nationwide with more than 300,000 
members. Chapter 1270 has more than 750 members that make up an active 
and robust chapter in eastern Prince William County.
  Alzheimer's is a progressive, degenerative disease and is the sixth 
leading cause of death in the U.S. Currently, 5.4 million Americans are 
living with the disease, and projections estimate that as many as 16 
million Americans will suffer from Alzheimer's in 2050. This illness 
also has profound impacts on families and caregivers. More than 60% of 
caregivers rate the emotional stress of care-giving as very high and 
one-third report symptoms of depression.
  Since 1985, NARFE has raised nearly $10 million and funded 56 
research projects dedicated to Alzheimer's disease research. The NARFE 
Virginia Federation of Chapters (VFC) was recognized as the top 
fundraising Federation in the country at the 32nd Biennial National 
NARFE Convention in Sparks, Nevada, on August 26, 2012. Luther 
Santiful, VFC President, William Shackelford, Past VFC President and 
Donna Shackelford, VFC Alzheimer's Chair, accepted the honor at the 
opening ceremonies of the convention. During 2011, the VFC raised an 
incredible $85,555.
  The VFC and Chapter 1270 are national standouts in Alzheimer's 
fundraising. The VFC has led NARFE Federations in Alzheimer's 
fundraising for nine out of the last ten years. Chapter 1270 was the 
top fundraiser for the VFC in each of the last ten years, and it raised 
the second highest amount nationwide for the second year in a row.
  The Federal Government is an active partner in the battle against 
Alzheimer's. The National Institute on Aging is the primary Federal 
agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer's disease research and has 
worked closely with the Alzheimer's Association to identify and 
standardize strategies for earlier diagnosis and develop effective 
treatment and prevention. This is an investment that must continue; if 
nothing is done, the economic toll of Alzheimer's is estimated to 
exceed $1 trillion in less than 40 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Woodbridge Chapter 1270 of the National Active and Retired Federal 
Employees Association on this fundraising milestone. I extend my 
personal appreciation to the members of Chapter 1270 and to members of 
NARFE nationwide for their continued public service and their 
commitment to finding a cure for this devastating disease.

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