[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ALZHEIMER'S MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to discuss 
the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States of America and 
the fifth-leading cause of death for those aged 65 years and older. 
It's a disease more than 5 million Americans are living with and is the 
only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States without a way 
to cure it or to slow its progression. It's a type of dementia that 
encompasses various diseases and conditions that damage brain cells--
Alzheimer's disease.
  September is Alzheimer's Month, a time spent by Alzheimer's advocates 
in promoting and educating on this life-changing disease.
  According to the Alzheimer's Association, deaths from Alzheimer's 
increased close to 70 percent between 2000 and 2010. During that same 
time period, deaths from other major diseases, such as heart disease, 
decreased. In my home State of Pennsylvania, in 2010, more than 3,500 
individuals died from Alzheimer's. My mom, Mary Thompson, suffered with 
Alzheimer's for 10 years as the disease slowly stole her memories, her 
dignity and, eventually, her life.
  In 2010, Congress passed legislation to create a national plan to 
combat Alzheimer's disease. It established a National Alzheimer's 
Project within the Department of Health and Human Services in order to 
coordinate the country's approach to research and caregiving. This 
effort supports the amazing work being done through medical research 
and awareness to improve the lives of those who are living with 
Alzheimer's.
  While awareness of Alzheimer's has grown over the last decade, 
America and the world have a long way to go to educate and combat this 
disease. Alzheimer's is a condition that most Americans have 
encountered through a parent, a loved one, a friend or someone close 
they care about. However, together, through continued advocacy, 
research and the dedicated work of health professionals, care providers 
and scientific researchers, we can and will make a difference.

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