THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY FRANKEL, BAKER, BISHOP, K. BOYLE, BRADFORD, BROOKS, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, ELLIS, EVERETT, FARRY, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GROVE, HANNA, HENNESSEY, KAVULICH, KILLION, KIRKLAND, RAVENSTAHL, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROSS, SABATINA, SAINATO, SANTARSIERO, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SONNEY, STABACK, STERN, SWANGER, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WHITE AND YOUNGBLOOD, FEBRUARY 8, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 8, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the month of February 2011 as "American Heart Month"

in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the nation's leading cause

of death and costliest disease with direct and indirect costs

estimated to be $228 billion; and

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease accounts for one out of three

deaths nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease

each day, an average of one death every 39 seconds; and

WHEREAS, Nearly one in three deaths due to cardiovascular

disease occur before 75 years of age; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 785,000 people in the United States

will have a new coronary attack, an estimated 470,000 people

nationwide will have a recurrent attack and an additional

195,000 "silent" heart attacks will occur this year; and

WHEREAS, More than 42,300 Pennsylvanians died from

cardiovascular disease in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Research clearly indicates that there are preventive

strategies, as well as community-based strategies, than can

increase survival rates from cardiovascular disease; and

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association's 2020 impact goal

seeks to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by

20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and

stroke by 20% through research, population-level and community-

level interventions, public health and policy measures; and

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association encourages citizens

to help save lives by calling 911 if cardiovascular disease

symptoms occur, become trained in CPR and to encourage

comprehensive automated external defibrillator (AED) programs in

their communities; and

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association is celebrating

February 2011 as "American Heart Month" and promoting education

and awareness by encouraging citizens to learn the warning signs

of heart attack and stroke; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

month of February 2011 as "American Heart Month" in Pennsylvania

to emphasize the importance of the ongoing fight against heart

disease and urge all citizens to acknowledge the critical

importance of tools and skills that will increase survival rates

from cardiac arrest.