[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 104 (Thursday, June 20, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H4928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ALZHEIMER'S AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mr. KATKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness 
Month, and I rise today to share with this Chamber the impact that 
Alzheimer's disease has had on this country and 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 
succumbing to the disease 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 across our great Nation.
  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 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 proudly and is now being implemented. This legislation 
authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to research 
prevention methods for dementias and establish local treatment 
facilities.

  I am committed to passing additional policies that improve the lives 
of those living with dementias.

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