Hoyer Received Alzheimer's Association's Highest National Advocacy Award

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny Hoyer was honored today by the Alzheimer's Association as this year's recipient of their Humanitarian Award. As a strong supporter of the Alzheimer's Association in Congress, Hoyer was awarded today as a tribute to his leadership on critical appropriations measures, in promoting rights for persons with disabilities and his work on Medicaid and Medicare issues.

"Over the past twenty years, by investing in Alzheimer's research, we have been successful in making tremendous progress in increasing our knowledge and understanding of this disease," said Congressman Hoyer. "However, with new pressures of an aging population, now is the time to act to transform the scientific knowledge we have accumulated and translate them into actual treatments, and one day a cure. We must keep the momentum going."

"Steny Hoyer's selection for this award is in recognition of his leadership and tireless efforts in support of persons with Alzheimer's and their families" said Stephen McConnell, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy for the Alzheimer's Association.

Congressman Hoyer joins past award winners including President Ronald Reagan and Senator Jay Rockefeller. Richard Kipper, Alzheimer's Association Chairman of the Board presented Congressman Hoyer with the Humanitarian Award today.

Rep. Hoyer is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves on the subcommittee that funds the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services. Hoyer has long championed fighting for increased funding at NIH for Alzheimer's research. Twenty years ago NIH only spent $3.8 million on Alzheimer's, and this year we will spend around $700 million.

The Alzheimer's Association is the world leader in Alzheimer research and support. Having awarded more than $150 million to nearly 1,300 projects, the Alzheimer's Association is the largest private funder of Alzheimer research. The Association's vision is a world without Alzheimer's disease. For more information about Alzheimer's disease, visit www.alz.org or call 800-272-3900.

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