[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E389-E390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING CATHY PERKOWITZ FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 2015

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cathy Perkowitz, 
an extraordinary woman from the sixth district of Illinois. Recently, 
the Alzheimer's Association named Cathy the 2015 Outstanding Advocate 
of the Year. This award is given to an advocate who has a deep 
commitment and strong passion for the Alzheimer's cause.
   Cathy's husband, Bill, was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's 
in 2006 at the age of fifty two. Cathy has been actively involved with 
the Alzheimer's Association since 2009. Since then, she has dedicated 
herself to caring for her husband and advocating on behalf of those 
with Alzheimer's disease. She has been an Alzheimer's Ambassador since 
the program's inception in 2010 and recently traveled to Springfield, 
Illinois to attend her sixth straight lobby day on behalf of the 
Alzheimer's cause.
   During her time as an Alzheimer's advocate, Cathy has worked to 
develop strong personal relationships with elected officials. I can 
personally speak to this. Cathy was kind enough

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to invite me to visit her husband Bill in his long-term care facility. 
This was a special experience for me, and I am grateful for Cathy and 
her family's willingness to help me understand what it's like to live 
with and care for someone with Alzheimer's. Not many people are willing 
to open their lives up that way.
   Cathy's involvement also stretches beyond the advocacy field. She is 
active in a local younger-onset caregiver support group since 2006, 
when there were less than twelve contributors. Now, Cathy is one of 
seventy. She also participates in the Walk to End Alzheimer's and her 
team has been the top fundraiser for the past three years. Since that 
fateful news in 2006, she has dedicated her life to the Alzheimer's 
cause. Cathy is the true definition of an advocate.
   Mr. Speaker, and distinguished colleagues, please join me in 
congratulating Cathy Perkowitz on receiving this distinct honor and 
wishing her and her family many future successes as they continue their 
advocacy on behalf of those with Alzheimer's disease.

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