[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 103 (Thursday, June 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS MONTH

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                       HON. JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2015

  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness 
Month, an opportunity to raise awareness and continue a national 
conversation about this debilitating disease, which is the nation's 
sixth leading cause of death.
   Worldwide, there are 47 million people living with Alzheimer's and 
other dementias, and without a change, these numbers are expected to 
grow to 76 million by 2030. Not only will this affect individuals and 
families with an unmeasurable toll of physical and emotional pain, it 
will also cost our entire economy and health care system billions. Just 
this year alone, the disease is estimated to cost us $226 billion.
   Even more concerning, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that Alzheimer's 
disease is not treatable and its progression cannot be slowed down. 
However, I am encouraged by the important work that researchers are 
doing at the National Institute of Health regarding this deadly 
disease. Furthermore, I am glad that my colleagues and I in the House 
came together in a responsible and bi-partisan manner to not only 
increase funding to $31.2 billion for the NIH ($1.1 billion above 
fiscal year 2015 and $100 million above the President's request); but 
within that allocation provided $886 million for the Alzheimer's 
disease research initiative, a $300 million increase. I am hopeful that 
these research dollars will go a long way to treating, and ultimately 
curing this disease.

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