[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57635-57636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28802]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 57635]]


                Proclamation 7497 of November 9, 2001

                
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, 
                2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Approximately four million Americans suffer from 
                Alzheimer's disease. It is a progressive degenerative 
                disorder of the brain that robs those affected of their 
                memory and much of their mental and physical function, 
                leading to their total dependence on caregivers, and 
                ultimately death. Slightly more than half of 
                Alzheimer's disease patients receive care from their 
                family and friends at home. Years of providing for the 
                emotional, physical, and financial needs of a loved one 
                with this difficult disease can be emotionally painful 
                and exhausting for a caregiver.

                The chance of having Alzheimer's disease rises 
                significantly with age, and as older Americans become a 
                larger percentage of our Nation's population, the 
                number of people expected to develop Alzheimer's will 
                rise dramatically. It has been estimated that 14 
                million Americans, mostly seniors, will suffer from 
                Alzheimer's by the middle of this century.

                My Administration is strongly committed to meeting the 
                challenges of Alzheimer's disease by increasing funding 
                for Federal medical research programs as well as 
                providing improved support to Alzheimer's patients and 
                their families and care givers. Through the efforts of 
                scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 
                and in the private sector, we are making great strides 
                in defining genetic and environmental risks, diagnosing 
                the disease in its earliest stages, and testing 
                potential treatments. In addition, the NIH and the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs are sponsoring research 
                that focuses on improving care and easing the burden on 
                those providing care at home and in nursing facilities. 
                Finally, the Administration on Aging is working under 
                the Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Project Grants to 
                States Program to expand the availability of diagnostic 
                and support services available for Alzheimer's disease 
                patients, their families, and their caregivers.

                Our Nation's medical research programs have produced 
                significant advances in the delivery of health care for 
                our older generations. In recent years, our seniors' 
                retirement years have been fuller, more productive, and 
                healthier. Despite this overall improvement in health 
                care, Alzheimer's disease continues to take many of the 
                best and most enjoyable years of life from millions of 
                seniors. Much progress has been made in the study of 
                Alzheimer's disease, but the fight to determine what 
                causes it and to develop effective ways to treat and 
                prevent the disease continues.

                As we observe National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness 
                Month, I call on all Americans to learn more about the 
                disease and to take time to honor and support 
                Alzheimer's disease patients and their families. We 
                should also acknowledge the scientists, physicians, 
                nurses, and other medical and health professionals who 
                are working diligently to advance knowledge and 
                understanding of Alzheimer's disease.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim November 2001, as National 
                Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. I call upon the 
                people

[[Page 57636]]

                of the United States to observe this month with 
                appropriate programs and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand one, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 01-28802
Filed 11-14-01; 9:34 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P