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**Watch photo slide show** :Congressman Smith Speaks at Point Pleasant Beach Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s

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OCEAN COUNTY, NJ , Sep 22, 2018 | Matt Hadro ((202) 225-3765) | comments

  • Because of his years of work on Alzheimer's issues, Cong. Smith was asked to cut the banner to launch the walk.

  • Cong. Smith talks about recent funding increases for Alzheimer's research he successfully pushed for in Washington.

  • Alzheimer's NJ President and CEO Kenneth Zaentz.

  • Congressman Smith, center, with Mayor Reid and his dog, George, take a moment to be with volunteers.

  • Elaine Winter, senior director of public policy and advocacy at Alzheimer's NJ, speak about policy issues.

  • Thanking one of many volunteers and walkers.

  • Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Steve Reid thanks officers for their public safety work to keep things running smoothly.

  • Congressman Smith and Mayor Reid stop and visit with the Point Pleasant High School Cheering Squad.

  • Congressman Smith meets up with Tracey Wolfman, Administrator of We Adult Day Care in Red Bank. Smith has visited the site for a tour of its facilities.

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) today joined hundreds of family members and supporters of Alzheimer’s patients in Point Pleasant Beach at the 2018 Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s, hosted by Alzheimer’s New Jersey. The group’s President and CEO Kenneth Zaentz, Mayor Steve Reid and other leaders were also present to kick off the walk.

Teams of walkers raised money for Alzheimer’s New Jersey’s services for local Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers; 100 percent of the funds raised at the walk will support these services.

Below are excerpts of Rep. Smith’s remarks at the event:

“By walking, you not only raise critical funds for Alzheimer’s disease, but you also bring visibility, you mobilize and you prioritize efforts to mitigate, and someday cure, this dreaded disease. You also bring hope and a strong sense of solidarity with patients, family, and friends.

WATCH PHOTO SLIDE SHOW ABOVE

“By way of background, in 1998, I a New Jersey Republican, along with Congressman Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, founded the Congressional Alzheimer’s Caucus. I, to this day, chair the Alzheimer’s Caucus. We now have 181 members.

“The big breakthrough came in 2011, when we passed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act. It not only created an advisory committee for a whole-of-government approach, but it also created a national strategy with a goal of finding a cure, or a disease-modifying therapy, by 2025. The impact has been profound. Research scholars at NIH, we got them to $600 million in 2015. We tripled it to $1.8 billion this year, 2018, and in 2019, it'll go to $2.3 billion, which is a 400 percent increase in just five years.

“Your voice has been heard. Have hope.”

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