Rep. Waters Commends Colleagues for Introducing Senate Companion to her Alzheimer’s Stamp Bill

Calls for Robust Funding of Alzheimer's Research

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-California), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease, urged robust funding for Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during a press conference on Capitol Hill, which highlighted the availability of Alzheimer's research fundraising postal stamps. The Congresswoman also urged passage of her bill (H.R. 2973), which would make the Alzheimer's stamps available for six years. Her remarks as prepared for delivery follow:

"I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Elijah Cummings [D-Maryland] and Senators Ed Markey [D-Massachusetts]; Chris Van Hollen [D-Maryland]; and Shelley Moore Capito [R-West Virginia] for their leadership on Alzheimer's disease, and I especially want to thank Senator Markey for being at the forefront of Alzheimer's advocacy throughout his career in both the House and the Senate. I also want to thank Kathy Siggins, whose tireless advocacy has helped make the Alzheimer's stamp a reality.

"As Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease, I have been an advocate for an Alzheimer's research fundraising stamp for years. Last year, I wrote a letter urging the U.S. Postal Service to issue an Alzheimer's stamp, and my letter was signed by 41 Members of Congress. Earlier this year, I reintroduced the Alzheimer's Research Semipostal Stamp Act (H.R. 2973) to establish an Alzheimer's stamp and make it available to the public for six years. That bill is supported by 130 Members of Congress.

"Alzheimer's is a tragic disease affecting more than five million Americans. There is no effective treatment, no means of prevention, and no method for slowing the progression of the disease.

"I am so proud that the Postal Service has heeded our call and established an Alzheimer's stamp. I am also proud that my Senate colleagues are introducing a Senate companion to my bill, in order to make this stamp available for six years instead of two.

"Nevertheless, while the creation of this stamp is an important victory, it cannot replace congressionally-appropriated funding for Alzheimer's research. Unfortunately, we are approaching the end of the year without a plan to keep the government open and fund critical agencies like the National Institutes of Health.

"I call upon my colleagues to pass our legislation and make the Alzheimer's stamp available for six years, and I call upon my colleagues to keep the government open and provide robust funding for urgent national priorities like Alzheimer's research."

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