Frank Valeriote's Member Statement on Huntington's Disease

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about the inauguration of the Huntington Society of Canada's Great Canadian Series, which will honour the life and work of great Canadians who have been afflicted with Huntington's disease. The disease is an inherited brain disorder that affects both body and mind. It affects thousands of Canadians across our country and with no known cure, its victims will succumb to cognitive and physical impairment and eventually death. The society's first honoree is former Speaker of the House, James Jerome, who became speaker in 1974, where he remained through successive Liberal and Progressive Conservative governments. He was instrumental in the development of broadcasting House proceedings and the creation of our current parliamentary page program, giving young Canadians a unique vantage point in their study of Canada's Parliament. Having had a profound impact on the work we do here, he developed Huntington's disease later in life, eventually succumbing to it in 2005. Mr. Jerome's impact will forever be felt as will the efforts of the Huntington Society of Canada.

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