[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6917]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 176--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE 
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE SHOULD ISSUE A SEMIPOSTAL STAMP TO SUPPORT 
            MEDICAL RESEARCH RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

  Ms. MIKULSKI submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:

                              S. Res. 176

       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the 
     United States Postal Service should, in accordance with 
     section 416 of title 39, United States Code--
       (1) issue a semipostal stamp to support medical research 
     relating to Alzheimer's disease; and
       (2) transfer to the National Institutes of Health for that 
     purpose any amounts becoming available from the sale of such 
     stamp.

  Ms. MIKULSKI. I rise today to submit a resolution urging the United 
States Postal Service to issue a semipostal stamp to help raise money 
for Alzheimer's research. A semipostal stamp will fund new research 
while also raising public awareness about this devastating disease.
  Finding new ways to treat Alzheimer's should be a national priority. 
The disease not only harms patients and their families, it strains our 
health care system as well. Every 70 seconds, someone in America 
develops Alzheimer's. An estimated 5.4 million Americans have 
Alzheimer's disease, including one in eight people over 65. The direct 
and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, 
Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $183 billion each year. By 
2050, this disease is likely to affect more than 11 to 16 million 
people 65 and older--unless we can find a medical breakthrough.
  As Alzheimer's Disease is so prevalent, almost every American knows 
someone with this condition. My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. 
This was after many physicians said it was just ``old age'' stress or 
depression. Like all family members with a loved one with Alzheimer's, 
I felt powerless over my father's situation as he got worse.
  There are 14.9 million unpaid caregivers taking care of loved ones 
with Alzheimer's. They are depending on us to help find the cure for 
this terrible disease. No treatment is available to slow or stop the 
deterioration of brain cells in Alzheimer's disease. The U.S. Food and 
Drug Administration has approved five drugs that temporarily slow the 
worsening of symptoms for about six to 12 months. They are effective 
for only about half of the individuals who take them.
  However, researchers around the world are studying numerous treatment 
strategies that may have the potential to change the course of the 
disease. Approximately 75 to 100 experimental therapies aimed at 
slowing or stopping the progression of Alzheimer's are in clinical 
testing in human volunteers. We need to keep the fight for a cure 
strong and funded.
  A semipostal stamp is one way each of us can help in the fight 
against Alzheimer's. Proceeds from the stamp's sales would help fund 
Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health. By paying 
more than the normal postage rate for this stamp, the public can 
contribute directly to the search for a new treatment or even a cure. I 
also want to thank Senator Cardin for his cosponsorship of the 
Alzheimer's research semipostal stamp and Representative Markey for 
working on this important legislation in the House. I ask my colleagues 
today to join me in the fight against Alzheimer's and support this 
resolution.

                          ____________________