September 5, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6077 Will Iraq become balkanized? If it Time Magazine by Patti Davis, Presi- are frequently such deep wells, I have to look does, what happens with Turkey? What dent ’s daughter, dis- away. A 50-year marriage is full of intimate happens with the Kurds wanting their cussing her family’s battle with Alz- memories that live in the blood of lovers and own nation? What happens with the heimer’s. I include that for the life partners—memories that are both bene- diction and punishment. So much life has Shi’as in Iran? What happens with the RECORD. been shared, and so much has been lost. long-term prospects for the governance The article referred to is as follows: I could tell you that I don’t fear getting of Iraq itself? [From Time, Aug. 26, 2002] the disease myself because I know how toxic I witnessed a Republican Senator THE FACES OF ALZHEIMER’S fear is, how paralyzing. But in the next saying we were going to rule Iraq. The (By Patti Davis) breath I would have to tell you that there are late hours of the night when I lie awake of America is going to WE LEARN ABOUT THE DISEASE BY LOOKING INTO and wonder what fate has in store for me. rule Iraq alone, without allies? Has THE EYES OF VICTIMS—AND THEIR FAMILIES At other times, I study photographs of my anybody really thought about what The day after the first anniversary of my father from many years ago, or film clips. I that would mean? sister ’s death, Charlton don’t want to forget how his eyes used to What are the potential disruptions to Heston announced that he had been diag- look. Alzheimer’s teaches a harsh lesson— the United States economy? We have nosed with ‘‘symptoms consistent with early that the past is like the rudder of a ship. It some problems here at home. I have a stages of Alzheimer’s.’’ Sometimes in life, keeps you moving through the present, lot of unemployed people in my dis- there are odd juxtapositions of events—an steers you into the future. Without it, with- trict, the highest unemployment rate interplay of circumstances that makes one out memory, you are unmoored, a wind- pause and wonder what forces are at work. in the Nation in my State. tossed boat with no anchor. You learn this This was one of those times for me. Maureen by watching someone you love drift away. What are the potential economic dis- was so committed to defeating the scourge of I woke last night and listened to the si- ruptions that might come from a war Alzheimer’s, to getting more funding for re- lence. It was a late, deep hour, long after with Iraq? Would it lead to a disruption search and increasing understanding of the midnight, long before dawn. I though about of oil supplies? Would it drive up the disease that she sometimes delayed her own how, for someone with Alzheimer’s, silence price of oil dramatically, as it did in treatment for the melanoma that eventually must be like a prison, another corner of the the last Gulf War? How much would killed her. wasteland. There can be nothing soothing or Maureen would have tirelessly done inter- serene about it. such a war cost the United States of views on Aug. 9; instead, her husband Dennis America and its taxpayers? What are Perhaps the next time members of Con- Revell spoke to the media, as did the actor gress assemble to decide how much money to the risks to our troops? What are the David Hyde Pierce, who lost both his grand- set aside for Alzheimer’s research, they risks in terms of a long-term occupa- father and his father to Alzheimer’s. My should be asked to listen to silence dif- tion? mother released a statement. Maureen’s ferently, as if it were a jail sentence. Maybe We have not yet resolved the situa- voice had been silenced, but her activism, then they would look into their hearts and tion or stabilized the situation in Af- her determination, were still present. know that if stopping a disease that is stalk- ghanistan, which is a country that had We learn about diseases through the faces ing so many is not a top priority, we have of those who are stricken. Famous faces gar- lost our collective heart as a nation. no discernible military, no weapons of ner the most attention, obviously. When we mass destruction. They did harbor ter- think of Alzheimer’s, my father’s face comes During the August recess, I had the rorists. It was a rogue regime. But yet, to mind. Or Iris Murdoch’s. And now opportunity to speak to the Houston the United States of America, with a Heston’s. When Parkinson’s is mentioned, we Alzheimer’s Association’s educational substantial number of allies around the picture Michael J. Fox or Muhammad Ali. symposium in Houston with Dr. Rachel world, has yet to bring settled condi- But there is another way that faces tell the Doody, who has a well-known research tions to that country. Yet, we are story. You have to lean closer, look carefully program at Baylor College of Medicine about to depart for a much larger na- into the eyes, study the set of the jaw and in the Texas Medical Center. The num- the tilt of the head. I recognized more than ber of people at that event, it amazed tion who has not been involved, as far the famous visage of Heston when I saw his as has been revealed to Congress or the taped announcement. I saw the first shallow me. It was the first time I had the op- people of the United States, in the at- waves of a cruel disease lapping at the edges portunity to address that group and see tacks upon our country, has not posed of the person he has always known himself how many people were interested. a credible threat to the United States to be. I recognized it because I saw the same The battle that we have affects far or our allies. However, we are off on look in my father’s eyes eight years ago. too many Americans. More than 4 mil- another adventure. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the eyes lion Americans, one in ten over 65 and have a wariness, a veil of fear. It’s as if the Is this left-over business from George nearly half those over 85, suffer from person is standing at the edge of a fog-bank, Alzheimer’s disease. With the aging Bush’s father’s administration? It knowing that in time it will engulf him and seems like a number of the most there is no chance of outrunning it. I used to baby boom population, unless a cure is hawkish people in his administration see my father’s eyes simultaneously plead found, 14 million Americans will have are people who served in his father’s and hold firm. It would happen when a sen- Alzheimer’s by 2050. administration, who still regret the tence broke off because he couldn’t remem- I personally have been touched by fact that they did not pursue the war ber how to finish it. Or when he would say, Alzheimer’s when my mother-in-law to an end then, and they want to re- ‘‘I have this condition—I keep forgetting was diagnosed with this disease several things.’’ He was on a high wire, balancing on visit the issue. years ago. I know firsthand the incred- courage, with the dark waters of fear below, ible toll Alzheimer’s has on not only Many questions need to be answered and he was using every bit of his strength to before this Congress should extend au- cling to that wire. that person, but also the family. As a thority to the President to wage a war Slowly—sometimes over months, some- family member, I know the heartache against Iraq, the first preemptive war times over years—the eyes stop pleading. of watching a vibrant and active and in the history of the United States of There is a resignation, an acceptance of dis- independent loved one become lost in a America. tance, strangeness, a life far from home. You world of confusion, isolation, and de- know the look when you see it, and the only f spair. I know the frustration that there mercy is that fear seems to have subsided. are so few treatments and no cure to ALZHEIMER’S The eyes of family members change too. My brother Ron’s eyes show the sweet sto- this disease. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a icism that men seem born to possess. But As a policymaker, I am concerned by previous order of the House, the gen- looking more intently, I see the bubble of the staggering economic burden of this tleman from Texas (Mr. GREEN) is rec- pain beneath the surface. A father’s helpless- illness. The U.S. society spends at least ognized for 5 minutes. ness has to tear at the fibers of a son’s heart $100 billion a year on Alzheimer’s. Nei- Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I like a dull blade. My own eyes have too ther Medicare nor most private health rise today to discuss a serious disease much history in them, I often think. I was insurance covers the long-term care or illness that affects a great many in the little girl who worshipped her father, and many patients need. Alzheimer’s dis- our country. It is Alzheimer’s disease. the young women who hurt him the way ease is costing American business $61 daughters do when their love is needy and I have been a longtime advocate for true. Now I look at him in a soft, maternal billion a year: $36.5 billion is the cost increasing research for treatment and way, which still feels odd to me, even after to business of caregiving, and the rest cures for Alzheimer’s. I was particu- all these years. As if the laws of nature have is the business share of the cost of larly touched by a recent article in been turned upside down. My mother’s eyes health care and long-term care.

VerDate Aug 23 2002 23:45 Sep 05, 2002 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05SE7.036 H05PT1 H6078 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 5, 2002 While I am proud that the National bomb had taken the lives of many indi- and 401(k)’s? Are we telling my con- Institutes of Health spends almost $599 viduals in one of their major cities. stituents that we are bringing relief to million on Alzheimer’s disease re- Just a few months ago, we made the them? Every day their homes are on search, that number seems insignifi- decision to ensure that those who com- the foreclosure list because they have cant in light of the cost of this disease. mitted the horrific act would under- no jobs in Houston, Texas. We must do more to study the causes stand that America takes care of its Are we letting them know that right and risk factors of Alzheimer’s and to own. And I voted for that resolution to now we are paying a billion dollars a develop a new way to diagnose the dis- go after the terrorists. Today, however, month in Afghanistan and we do not ease, and to develop new methods for I think it is important that the Amer- know when it will end for the war we treatment and caregiving. ican people be informed on the recent are waging there? And we have no Five years ago, Congress made a raging debate regarding Iraq. endgame to any war with Iraq. One commitment to double the budget of The best thing about what we are year, 2 years, 20 years, millions and the NIH so more money could be in- hearing is that this is not a political millions and billions of dollars. And vested to find a cure for many diseases, debate. It is, in fact, a debate of con- have we looked at the Constitution such as Alzheimer’s. I have been a science, and a debate that rages among which clearly states that we as a Con- longtime proponent of doubling the Democrats and Republicans and Inde- gress have a right to declare war. The funding for NIH, and hope we will be pendents. It is one that will require War Powers Resolution of 1973 in its able to achieve our goal of doubling the America to be informed. And I would opening language said we are sending NIH budget in this, the final year of simply say to those who may be listen- this forward because it helps to col- that commitment. ing as I bring this issue to the floor laborate and to emphasize the relation- But there are other things Congress that we need to engage the American ship between the Executive and the can and should do to aid in the fight people and provide them with informa- Congress, and that the Congress has against Alzheimer’s. We must ensure tion. It is imperative that we go home the purse strings and the right to de- that the individuals who care for peo- to our congressional districts and have clare war. And if there is need for a ple with Alzheimer’s have the re- citizen summits so that information preemptive strike to protect this land, sources they need to keep their family can be translated. the Executive, the Commander in Chief members at home as long as possible. But let me begin to enunciate, if you can go in for 60, 90 days without the au- will, what is the conflict and the confu- thority of Congress. b 1215 sion with such a debate. First of all, it We were together in World War II We should pass legislation which al- concerns all of us that this debate when we were attacked in Pearl Har- lows individuals to deduct their long- would be raging in the press with no in- bor. We have been together before. But term care expenses from their income formation that connects the need to in- it is important for the American people tax and would help alleviate some of vestigate or to attack Iraq and reality. to be informed. It is important for us the financial burdens on the family It is interesting that we have noted to have an agenda, to put the economy caring for a loved one with Alz- by Members of the other body that first. It is important to ask the ques- heimer’s. We should pass legislation there is no scintilla of evidence that tion why. What relevance is it? Are we in an imminent attack? which would provide respite care for connects at this point Iraq with the I ask, Mr. Speaker, that this debate these caregivers. These are just a few horrific acts that occurred in the past be long and protracted and that no steps Congress should take. year. There is no evidence that Iraq at this point has nuclear weapons. The vote be taken without the American I urge the leadership to take up these people knowing what is going on. That bills and do everything we can to sup- case has not been made. But we have not said to the American people this is would be my voice, a continuous voice port the millions of Americans who speaking out against this process and suffer from Alzheimer’s. I would like to different from Kuwait, when Iraq at- tacked Kuwait when we had the coali- this potential attack without the close with a quote from Patty Davis’s American people. article in Time magazine of last week: tion of Arab allies as well as our allies ‘‘Perhaps the next time Members of around the world. f Congress assemble to decide how much What is not being focused on is the NEEDED PRESCRIPTION DRUG money to set aside for Alzheimer’s re- loud and resounding voice of those who BENEFIT search, they should be asked to listen oppose even the mere discussion of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under to silence differently as if it were a jail what is going on, meaning our allies. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- sentence. Maybe then we would then For those of us who care about our uary 3, 2001, the gentleman from North friends around the world, and those in look into their hearts and know that if Carolina (Mr. HAYES) is recognized for stopping a disease that is stalking so the region like Jordan and Israel, do 60 minutes as the designee of the ma- many is not a top priority, maybe we we even know what the ultimate im- jority leader. have lost our collective heart as a Na- pact will be on those neighbors? Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield to tion.’’ What is the difference of sending 75 the gentleman from Texas (Mr. HALL). to 100,000 troops and maybe more of our Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I f young men and women in this Nation, thank the gentleman from North Caro- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. those U.S. military personnel who we lina (Mr. HAYES) for yielding to me. JEFF MILLER of Florida). Under a pre- love and respect, who at the drop of a And I also really appreciate the fact vious order of the House, the gen- hat will go and fight for our freedom that he, as the Speaker’s designee, will tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) is rec- and justice? What is the determination talk on something as important as pre- ognized for 5 minutes. as it relates to them going on soil, for- scription drugs. Actually, it is a mat- (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois addressed the eign soil, where we know that a caged ter that we should have said stayed House. His remarks will appear here- animal such as Saddam Hussein will do here during the month of August and after in the Extensions of Remarks.) anything to survive? Have we told the worked on. It is a matter that we find f American people how long and how our senior citizens missing meals in costly? Have we proposed to the Amer- order to buy their prescriptions. That FREE DEBATE OVER THE WAR ican people a resolution on the dev- is something we should just not tol- WITH IRAQ astating economy that we are facing, erate in this country. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a jobs being lost across this land and We have tried everything in the previous order of the House, the gentle- people begging us to define an eco- world here on the floor and in our com- woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) nomic policy that will put them back mittees and in our visits with one an- is recognized for 5 minutes. to work, that will give them costly or other to solve this problem. We sent Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. cost-efficient health care, that will two bills over last session. Neither one Speaker, this morning before we began provide for their children going to of them came back from the Senate. our legislative business, news rang out school? Are we answering the hard I have a practical solution that I am from Afghanistan that another car questions of protecting their pensions suggesting to the gentleman from

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