[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 4, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57229-57230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26761]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 212 / Wednesday, November 4, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 57229]]


                Proclamation 8446 of October 30, 2009

                
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, 
                2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every day, millions of American families experience the 
                difficult reality of Alzheimer's disease. The physical 
                and emotional demands of caring for a loved one with 
                Alzheimer's can be overwhelming, but no one should face 
                this disease alone. During National Alzheimer's Disease 
                Awareness Month, we recognize all those living with 
                Alzheimer's disease and honor the caregivers, including 
                families and friends, who support them. We also renew 
                our commitment to research that is improving treatments 
                for this illness and may one day prevent it entirely.

                Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible and progressive 
                brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking 
                skills. Symptoms usually appear after age 60, but many 
                scientists now believe damage to the brain may begin 
                decades earlier. Research conducted and supported by 
                the National Institutes of Health and the Veterans 
                Health Administration has shed light on these early 
                effects and identified genetic risk factors for 
                Alzheimer's. Doctors are now able to start treatments 
                earlier, slowing the loss of brain cells and the 
                progression of debilitating physical and mental 
                impairments.

                As we seek hope for families struggling with 
                Alzheimer's disease, we must leave no avenue 
                unexplored. Embryonic stem cells may hold the key for 
                us to better understand, and possibly cure, some of our 
                most devastating diseases and conditions. That is why I 
                signed an Executive Order lifting the ban on Federal 
                funding for embryonic stem cell research, with proper 
                guidelines and strict oversight to prohibit abuse.

                We must continue the urgent work of giving substance to 
                hope for all who dream of a day when words like 
                ``terminal'' and ``incurable'' are finally retired from 
                our vocabulary. Until then, we must strive to ease the 
                burden of every individual struggling to recall a 
                spouse's name; every parent unable to recognize a 
                child's face; and every family member or friend who 
                brings them comfort and care.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim November 2009 as 
                National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. I call 
                upon the people of the United States to observe this 
                month with appropriate programs and activities.

[[Page 57230]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-26761
Filed 11-3-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P