[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 104 (Thursday, June 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING JUNE AS ALZHEIMER & BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 2019

  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month 
and I rise today to share with this chamber the impact Alzheimer's 
Disease has had on my family. Today, 5.8 million Americans live with 
brain disease. I have witnessed firsthand the burdens of these 
illnesses because my father, Andrew Katko, lived with Alzheimer's for 
nearly a decade before passing away a few months ago.
  My family was faced with the difficult decision on how to care for 
our father during this time in his life. This is not uncommon among 
families after a brain disease diagnosis.
  Often, family and friends are primary caretakers for those suffering 
with Alzheimer's and dementia. My mother, Mary Lou, served as my 
father's primary caregiver, joining the 16 million Americans who 
provide unpaid care. This year, unpaid caregivers will provide 18.5 
billion hours of care valued at $234 billion.
  The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act was signed into law last 
Congress and is now being implemented. This legislation authorizes the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to research prevention 
methods for dementias, establish local treatment facilities, and 
provide better resources to caregivers. I am committed to passing 
additional policies that improve the lives of those living with 
dementias.

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