A resolution 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.

Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution urging the U.S. 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 5.3 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 $148 billion each year. By 2050, this disease is likely to affect more than 11 million people 65 and older--unless we can find a medical breakthrough.

In addition to this resolution, I am also the sponsor of the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act. The act would increase overall funding for Alzheimer's research at NIH, establish a national summit to identify priorities and maximize resources in our fight for better treatments and a cure, and expand the Alzheimer's State Matching Grant Program. I am hopeful the Senate will pass the Breakthrough Act this year in addition to the resolution I am introducing today.

A semipostal stamp is one more way each of us can help in the fight against Alzheimer's. Proceeds from the stamp's sales would fund Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health. By paying more than the normal postage rate for this stamp, the public could contribute directly to the search for a new treatment or even a cure. I ask my colleagues today to join me in the fight against Alzheimer's and support this resolution.