SCR69FEB10

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending February 10, 2006

S.CON.RES.69 A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a Day of Hearts, Congenital Heart Defect Day in order to increase awareness about congenital heart defects, and for other purposes.

The Resolution preamble points out that 8 in 1,000 births will have congenital heart disease, the number one cause of death in infants. Although heart disease kills more children than cancer, five times more money goes into researching childhood cancer than heart disease.

Adults, too, succumb to heart disease in America, the number one killer, the preamble says but notes that the country is severely limited in cardiac care centers. 42% of all deaths in America are due to heart disease.

The Resolution calls for more awareness and more funding for heart disease research.

Sponsor: Senator Johnny Isakson (GA)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent Feb. 7, 2005.

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

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Whereas such defects range in severity from simple problems, such as `holes' between chambers of the heart, to very severe malformations, such as the complete absence of one or more chambers or valves of the heart;

Whereas more than one million Americans have some form of a congenital heart defect and such defect is the number one cause of death in infants;

Whereas out of 1000 births, eight babies will have some form of a congenital heart disorder, and approximately 35,000 babies are born with such defects each year;

Whereas twice as many children die each year from congenital heart disease compared with childhood cancers, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than such funding for congenital heart disease;

Whereas cardiovascular disease is the Nation's leading killer in both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups;

Whereas the United States has a severe shortage of cardiac centers that are fully equipped to provide care for adults living with complex heart defects;

Whereas almost one million Americans die of cardiovascular disease each year, resulting in up to 42 percent of all deaths in the United States;

Whereas the presence of a serious congenital heart defect often results in an enormous emotional and financial strain on young families who are already in a vulnerable stage of their lives;

Whereas severe congenital heart disease requires that families dedicate extensive financial resources for assistance and care both within and outside of a hospital environment;

Whereas congenial heart defects exceed more than $2.2 million a year for inpatient surgery alone; and

Whereas February 14, 2006, would be an appropriate day to recognize A Day for Hearts: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the Congress supports the goals and ideals of A Day of Hearts: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day to--

(1) increase awareness about congenital heart defects;

(2) encourage research with respect to the disease; and

(3) support the millions of Americans who are affected by this disease.

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