Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this afternoon spoke on the United States Senate floor in memory of former Congressman Dennis Moore.
Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Mr. President, I rise today in memory of former Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore – a man who lived a life of service to our nation. He was a friend, and I was sad to hear of his passing today.
“Dennis, above all, was a kind man. He was a loving husband to his wife, Stephene, and a doting father and grandfather.
“He was born in Anthony, Kansas and went on to earn degrees from the University of Kansas and then the Washburn University School of Law.
“He served our country with the U.S. Army Reserve and then Kansans for 12 years as the Johnson County District Attorney. He was known for his integrity and strong moral compass, which he carried with him to the halls of Congress when elected in 1998.
“Dennis’ approach to politics was one-on-one, person-to-person…and often times with his iconic guitar not too far out of reach. It was this personable approach that paved the way for him to be the first Democrat in 37 years elected to represent his district.
“As the Kansas City Star headline today memorialized him: “Strumming a guitar instead of flinging mud, Dennis Moore changed Kansas voters’ minds.”
“He served six terms on behalf of Kansans, and in our many years of working together I always had the utmost respect for him and the way he served the people of the 3rd District.
“That respect only grew when I witnessed the way he and his wife, Stephene, faced his battle with Alzheimer’s with a determination to use their experience to help others.
“They made the choice to make this private and devastating diagnosis public because they knew it would bring awareness to the realities of this disease. Especially after his diagnosis, and for as long as he was able, Dennis was a tireless advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association.
“One area where we always agreed was the need to invest in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, and in 2014, Dennis shared his experience with this harrowing disease in front of my Senate health appropriations subcommittee.
“He was vocal about what he went through and sincere in his urging for those having memory problems to see their doctor. And in his free time, he still kept himself busy strumming his guitar at senior centers.
“In 2018, I was humbled to receive the inaugural award in his name – the Dennis Moore Alzheimer Champion Award – from the Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas.
“I recently spoke to the Executive Director of Kansas’ Alzheimer’s Association Fe Vorderlandwehr. She had this to say about Dennis:
“After Congressman Moore was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he became a fierce advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association championing the need for an increase in Alzheimer’s research with the NIH. He became the face of the disease amongst his former colleagues in Congress as he testified about his battle with Alzheimer’s and the need for research to keep other families from going through what he has. Through it all he kept his wonderful sense of humor and his passion for music.
“I will leave you with the Congressman’s own words: ‘Alzheimer’s is a bipartisan issue, and I urge my former colleagues to unite behind it, allotting the necessary resources to fight a public health crisis that millions of families just like mine are facing.’”
“Dennis was a genuine, warm and decent man that lived an inspiring life that we all can learn from.
“His legacy will be the way in which he gave others battling Alzheimer’s courage and hope.
“Robba and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Stephene, their children, grandchildren and all those that knew him.”
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