Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson's Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2365, the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson's Act.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my dear friend from Florida, Representative Gus Bilirakis, for his leadership and his excellent work on this bipartisan piece of legislation. We all admire my friend, and we thank him for his courage.

This is the first-ever legislation in Congress focusing on curing and preventing Parkinson's disease and ensuring quality care for those living with the disease.

More than 1 million people in the U.S. live with Parkinson's disease, and there are no treatments to cure, prevent, or significantly slow down the progression.

Mr. Speaker, whether you are living with the disease or caring for someone, Parkinson's takes a terrible toll on everyone involved.

This issue is also very important to me. As a pharmacist, I have, through my career, experienced this with many patients. I also watched my dear friend, Senator Johnny Isakson, courageously battle Parkinson's disease for over 6 years.

Fortunately, we have an opportunity here today to pass one of the single largest congressional efforts to address Parkinson's disease.

The National Plan to End Parkinson's Act will build on the great work being done at places like the Isakson Center, named after Senator Isakson, to end Parkinson's once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do what is best for patients and for the Parkinson's community by getting this bill passed.

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