Actor Seth Rogen took to Twitter Wednesday to express his disappointment that so few United States Senators listened to him deliver testimony on the need for additional research on Alzheimer’s disease.
The “Knocked Up” actor was particularly disappointed with Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, who thanked Rogen for testifying but was not present for the actual speech. He also tweeted a photo of the room, pointing out the empty seats belonging to “senators who are not prioritizing Alzheimer’s.”
All those empty seats are senators who are not prioritizing Alzheimer’s. Unless more noise is made, it won’t change. pic.twitter.com/xDW6tlMHmH
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 26, 2014
Not sure why only two senators were at the hearing. Very symbolic of how the Government views Alzheimer’s. Seems to be a low priority.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 26, 2014
.@SenatorKirk pleasure meeting you. Why did you leave before my speech? Just curious.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 26, 2014
@theMRC they also skipped the testimonies of the worlds leading Alzheimer’s doctors and researchers. Not just a dumb comedian.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 28, 2014
@SenateApprops except voters aren’t being paid taxpayers dollars to show up.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 27, 2014
Despite the lighthearted start of his speech, which referenced his movie Knocked Up and marijuana legalization, Rogen adopted a serious tone. He explained how the disease made it impossible for his mother-in-law to speak, eat and use the bathroom on her own at the age of 60. The point of his personal story was to “show people that they are not alone.”
The actor has done more than just give his voice to the disease. He and his wife also started the organization Hilarity For Charity, which helps families dealing with Alzheimer’s and supports research of the disease.
Rogen later quipped to ABC News that he had so much fun testifying on the Hill Wednesday that he would even get high with one of them. “That [Iowa Sen. Tom] Harkin guy seemed pretty cool, I’d go with him,” he said.
