Mike Michaud: “I rise to honor the life of President Ronald Wilson Reagan and to extend my condolences to the entire Reagan family.…”

“I rise to honor the life of President Ronald Wilson Reagan and to extend my condolences to the entire Reagan family. Regardless of political affiliation, I think we can all agree that President Reagan was a tireless public servant who cared a great deal about this country. Leading our country during a difficult period President Reagan earned the respect of many throughout the world--a respect that has become all the more evident since his passing on Saturday. As this body and our Nation remembers the late President throughout the week, we would be remiss not to reflect upon the disease with which he was afflicted--Alzheimer's. President Reagan's leadership extended to the fight against Alzheimer's beginning in 1983, when he designated November as National Alzheimer's Disease Month, and continuing in 1994 when he announced that he was affected by the disease. In 1995 he and his wife Nancy lent their name to create the Alzheimer's Association's Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute. As was evident in President Reagan's battle with the disease, Alzheimer's does not discriminate: It afflicts the rich and the poor, the famous and the regular hardworking citizen alike. Four and a half million Americans live with Alzheimer's, and it is the fourth leading killer of older Americans. It is a progressive disease that robs many of precious memories and beautiful relationships.”