Tom Harkin

I've been preaching this for 25 years, that some of this health insurance money that we spend ought to go for research.

I'm retiring next year, by the way.

I think it's just a milestone.

I fought hard to overturn the Bush Administration limitation on stem cell research.

The number of Americans living with Alzheimer's has doubled since 1980, and the growth will almost certainly accelerate as the baby boom generation continues to retire in the future.

Those who did not graduate from high school were more than twice as likely as those who graduated from college to have dementia.

More research is desperately and urgently needed.

Is dementia getting more aggressive, affecting more percent of the population?

But none of it goes for research.

The Federal Government can and should play a leading role to ensure our Nation remains the leader in biomedical research, supports economic growth rooted in research, and saving lives and improving lives through medical innovations.

But I just want to get that out just so that people understand that and that, hopefully, the House won't repeat that again this year.

There are few Americans whose life hasn't been touched in some way by Alzheimer's disease, whether through a family member or a friend.

I have come to the floor to speak about my two recent fact-finding trips to Cuba. During the first trip, which was an incredible journey across the nation of Cuba, I had conversations with Cuban citizens, farmers, doctors, nurses…

I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will meet on February 27, 2014, at 10 am, in room SH-216 of the Hart Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Promoting College Access and…

I come to the floor today to introduce a bill to support teachers, paraprofessionals and especially students, students with challenging behaviors. Last week I released a report titled ``Dangerous Use of Seclusion and Restraints in Schools…

I ask unanimous consent that Lauren Sarkesian and Bruno DiMascio, interns with my personal staff, be granted floor privileges for today's session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will meet in executive session on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at a time to be determined, in room 216 of the Capitol Building to mark up the nominations of…

The issues that are facing the Department are front and center in our national dialog right now.

Every Governor I know is focused on it. That is where most of the action is.

I still think the District should have its proper representation in the U.S. House as a full voting member of the House, and we should have two Senators from the District of Columbia.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Retirement

I wish to announce that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will to meet on February 13, 2014, at 10 a.m., in room SD-430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled From Poverty to Opportunity…

I ask unanimous consent that Elizabeth Lievens and David Pope, interns in my office, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

It has been a pleasure to see this critical agency revitalized under the Obama administration after years of neglect.

I want to talk today about a subject that has immense implications for America's future. In fact, I often talk about it as being perhaps the darkest cloud hanging over the future economic well-being of our country that no one ever talks…