[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 126 (Thursday, July 26, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H7716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE MEMORY OF SPECIAL AGENT NOLE EDWARD REMAGEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2017, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Special 
Agent Nole Remagen.
  Special Agent Remagen suffered a stroke while supporting the recent 
Presidential trip to Scotland, and, sadly, passed away a few days 
later, surrounded by his family.
  Special Agent Remagen was a true patriot who dedicated his life to 
serving his country. He began his service as a member of the United 
States Marine Corps, where he served honorably for 5 years.
  After leaving the Marine Corps, he yet again heeded the call to serve 
his Nation, joining the Secret Service as an officer in the Uniformed 
Division.
  Special Agent Remagen served in the Uniformed Division for 10 years 
and rose to the rank of sergeant just like his father, also a retired 
sergeant in the Secret Service Uniformed Division.
  He became a special agent in 2009 and served faithfully many 
assignments, including the Dignitary Protection Division and the 
Presidential Protective Division.
  Special Agent Remagen represented the best of the United States 
Secret Service, and his dedication to the agency's mission is both 
admirable and inspiring.
  Special Agent Remagen is survived by his wife and two young children. 
I ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this 
difficult time.


                     Addressing Alzheimer's Disease

  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about a disease that 
touches nearly every family in our country.
  There are more than 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's and 
more than 16.1 million unpaid caregivers who dedicate much of their 
lives to caring for their loved ones struggling with this terrible 
illness.
  I became familiar with Alzheimer's long before I came to Congress. 
You see, my father, Andy Katko, or Pop-Pop, as he became known to us, 
his 7 children, his 18 grandchildren, and his 6 great-grandchildren, as 
well as everyone else, began, in 2008, to show signs that his memory 
was deteriorating. He was eventually diagnosed with dementia that same 
year.
  His condition progressed significantly each and every year after his 
initial diagnosis, and he was ultimately diagnosed with Alzheimer's 
disease. My mother, his wife, Mary Lou, took on the challenging role 
millions of loved ones do and became his primary caretaker.
  Mary Lou remained by Andy's side, helping him with everything from 
cooking, bathing, dressing, and taking his medications, to offering him 
love and reassurance when he would wake up in the middle of the night 
confused and sometimes scared of his surroundings.
  About 1\1/2\ years ago, with Andy's condition progressing 
dramatically, and my mother, Mary Lou, suffering from her own health 
issues, our family had to make the terrible decision that many other 
families have to make and admit my father, Andy, into a nursing home, 
where he could receive the 24-hour care and attention that he 
desperately needed.
  Although Andy and Mary Lou lived apart since then, their strong bond 
of love for each other was still evident, perhaps in the hand-holding, 
perhaps in the kiss on the cheek, or perhaps just giving a reassuring 
look.
  Andy's eyes would light up at any mention of Mary Lou, especially 
when she came to visit him. In March of this year, when we had to tell 
him that Mary Lou had died, his beloved wife of 64 years, it barely 
registered. In fact, we can't tell whether he understands that his 
wife, the love of his life, is gone.
  Today, Andy still resides at our local nursing home. His condition 
has worsened, and he can no longer recognize his children or 
grandchildren, nor can he form coherent sentences. It is extremely 
difficult for our family to see him in this condition, as he is no 
longer the same talkative, strong-willed father and grandfather he once 
was.
  Although Alzheimer's has diminished my father, Andy's quality of 
life, the disease has not diminished his spirit. Yes, Andy's sincere 
appreciation for his family is still evident, and he has maintained his 
distinct sense of humor and happy-go-lucky disposition, which allows 
our family some temporary relief and lightness amongst such a heavy 
situation.
  This struggle my father and our entire family is going through is not 
unique. I have heard nearly identical stories told by countless 
families throughout my district--really, from throughout this country.

                              {time}  1330

  The toll this disease takes on the millions afflicted, the millions 
of caregivers, and our overall economy cannot be understated.
  I am proud of the actions we have taken as a Congress to begin to 
address this epidemic, including the passage of the 21st Century Cures 
Act, which will strengthen efforts to find a cure. And the recent 
passage of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, which is now one of the 
first laws to address the needs of our Nation's family caregivers. 
However, we must do more.
  I will continue to support the doctors, the scientists, and the 
medical professionals, who are on the front lines caring for those 
suffering from Alzheimer's, working tirelessly day and night to find a 
cure, looking for promising treatments.
  I implore all of my colleagues to join me in supporting funding for 
research to put an end to this epidemic, honoring the millions of 
Americans, like my father, who have lost so much of their lives to this 
disease. This is for you Pop Pop.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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