Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 216 / Tuesday, November 9, 2004 / Presidential Documents 65043

Proclamation 7839 of November 4, 2004

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, 2004

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation

Today, it is estimated that over 4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s 

disease. A progressive, degenerative disorder of the brain, Alzheimer’s robs 

individuals of their memory and their mental and physical functions, leading 

to increasing dependence on others for care. Factors such as age and family 

history can contribute to the risk of developing this disease. While no 

cure exists yet, researchers are learning more about this disease and how 

to enhance the quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s. 

President Reagan believed in the courage and capacity of the American 

people to overcome any obstacle, and my Administration remains committed 

to funding medical research programs to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease 

and improving care for Alzheimer’s patients and increasing support for 

their families. The National Institutes of Health plans to spend $680 million 

in Alzheimer’s research in 2004 and an estimated $699 million in 2005, 

a 33 percent increase from 2001. The National Institutes of Health, along 

with the Department of Veterans Affairs, is testing drugs for prevention 

and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This year, the National Institute on 

Aging launched the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, an innovative partnership with the private sector that is using the latest technologies 

to observe changes in the brains of individuals who are affected by Alzheimer’s. This project is researching ways to enhance early diagnosis and 

further the development of treatments. In addition, the Administration on 

Aging is working with States to improve home and community-based services 

for people with dementia and their families. 

As we observe National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, we recognize 

our citizens who are living with this disease and extend our gratitude 

to those who provide vital care and support. We also specially recognize 

the public and private scientists, researchers, nurses, and health care providers who are dedicated to finding new and better ways to help patients 

and ultimately find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Their efforts bring comfort 

to many and offer hope for the future. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2004 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. 

65044 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 216 / Tuesday, November 9, 2004 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day 

of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the IndependBilling code 3195

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[FR Doc. 04

–8–04; 9:39 am] 

–25164

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ence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

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