[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 177 (Thursday, October 26, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H5155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE

  (Mr. VALADAO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness for 
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or CJD.
  CJD is a rare brain disease that causes a rapid decline in a person's 
cognitive health and often leads to death within only a few months to 1 
year following the onset of symptoms. There are about 500 new cases in 
the United States each year.
  Though rare, every CJD patient and thousands of people in their 
communities have a story of how their lives have been impacted by this 
disease. I personally have dealt with the loss of a dear friend and 
mentor, the former mayor of Bakersfield, Harvey L. Hall.
  Harvey Hall was a passionate man with a great love for life, his 
family, his community, and his country. He was a beloved member of our 
community and the longest serving mayor in Bakersfield history.
  Mayor Hall lost his life from CJD just 2 weeks after diagnosis. His 
sudden death was a shock to our community and devastating for all who 
knew him, including his wife of 28 years, who is here with us today, 
Lavonne Hall.
  Today, I am introducing a resolution that would designate November 
12, 2023, as CJD Awareness Day to honor Mayor Hall's memory and help 
raise awareness for CJD patients and their families across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
bipartisan resolution.

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