HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 8

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales and Richard C. Martinez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING JANUARY 30, 2019 "ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AWARENESS DAY" IN THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia, is a degenerative, fatal disease of the brain that destroys mental and physical functions; and

     WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is not a part of the normal aging process; and

     WHEREAS, there is no known cure, treatment or prevention for Alzheimer's disease; and

     WHEREAS, every sixty-five seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease; and

     WHEREAS, an estimated five million seven hundred thousand Americans now live with Alzheimer's disease; and

     WHEREAS, it has been estimated that by mid-century, someone will develop Alzheimer's disease every thirty-three seconds; and

     WHEREAS, data indicate that Hispanics are approximately one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer's disease or other dementia as older non-Hispanic whites; and

     WHEREAS, between 2018 and 2025, New Mexico is projected to experience a thirty-six percent growth rate of people with this devastating disease; and

     WHEREAS, by the year 2025, New Mexico will have an estimated fifty-three thousand residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that January 30, 2019 be proclaimed "Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Day" in the legislature to honor the many individuals and their loved ones who have been affected by Alzheimer's disease and to raise public awareness of this disease; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor's office and the secretary of aging and long-term services.

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