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.

I rise today to submit a resolution urging the United States 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 5.4 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 $183 billion each year. By 2050, this disease is likely to affect more than 11 to 16 million people 65 and older--unless we can find a medical breakthrough.

As Alzheimer's Disease is so prevalent, almost every American knows someone with this condition. My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. This was after many physicians said it was just ``old age'' stress or depression. Like all family members with a loved one with Alzheimer's, I felt powerless over my father's situation as he got worse.

There are 14.9 million unpaid caregivers taking care of loved ones with Alzheimer's. They are depending on us to help find the cure for this terrible disease. No treatment is available to slow or stop the deterioration of brain cells in Alzheimer's disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved five drugs that temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms for about six to 12 months. They are effective for only about half of the individuals who take them.

However, researchers around the world are studying numerous treatment strategies that may have the potential to change the course of the disease. Approximately 75 to 100 experimental therapies aimed at slowing or stopping the progression of Alzheimer's are in clinical testing in human volunteers. We need to keep the fight for a cure strong and funded.

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