THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BOBACK, HARPER, ADOLPH, BAKER, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CLYMER, D. COSTA, COX, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, GABLER, GEIST, GEORGE, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, HARHART, HEFFLEY, HELM, HICKERNELL, HORNAMAN, KAVULICH, KILLION, KNOWLES, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, PICKETT, READSHAW, ROCK, ROSS, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SONNEY, STABACK, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TOOHIL, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WHITE AND YOUNGBLOOD, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 7, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Designating February 7 through 14, 2012, as "Congenital Heart

Defect Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Congenital heart defects are the most frequently

occurring birth defect and the leading cause of birth defect-

related deaths worldwide; and

WHEREAS, More than a million families across this nation are

facing the challenges and hardships of raising children with

congenital heart defects; and

WHEREAS, Every year 40,000 babies are born in the United

States with congenital heart defects; and

WHEREAS, Some congenital heart defects are not diagnosed

until months or years after birth; and

WHEREAS, Undiagnosed congenital heart conditions cause many

cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes; and

WHEREAS, Despite these statistics, newborns and young

athletes are not routinely screened for congenital heart

defects; and

WHEREAS, A disproportionately small amount of funding is

available for congenital heart defect research and support; and

WHEREAS, "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week" provides an

opportunity for families whose lives have been affected to

celebrate life and to remember loved ones lost, to honor

dedicated health professionals and to meet others and know they

are not alone; and

WHEREAS, Establishment of "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness

Week" will also provide the opportunity to share experience and

information with the public and the media in order to raise

public awareness about congenital heart defects; therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives designate

February 7 through 14, 2012, as "Congenital Heart Defect

Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania; and be it further

Resolved, That the House of Representatives encourage all

citizens to increase awareness, education and services for

congenital heart defects which each year affect thousands of

babies in Pennsylvania.