PRINTER'S NO. 1507
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
305
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY COLLETT, MUTH, PHILLIPS-HILL, FONTANA, SCAVELLO,
SANTARSIERO, BROWNE, SCHWANK, BREWSTER, DINNIMAN, HUGHES,
MARTIN, J. WARD, BARTOLOTTA, COSTA, SABATINA, BAKER, AUMENT
AND TARTAGLIONE, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating February 7 through February 14, 2020, as "Congenital
Heart Defect Awareness Week" and further designating February
14, 2020, as "Emersyn's Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week" is an
annual recognition effort to help educate the public about
congenital heart defects; and
WHEREAS, Congenital heart defects are the most common
congenital disability, annually affecting 1 in every 104
newborns in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Designating "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week"
in this Commonwealth promotes greater public awareness about
congenital heart defects and encourages proper screenings to
detect such defects; and
WHEREAS, Congenital heart defects are a leading cause of
birth-defect-related deaths worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Congenital heart defects cause twice as many
fatalities as childhood cancer; and
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WHEREAS, Newborn screening for congenital heart defects
involves a simple, noninvasive test called pulse oximetry; and
WHEREAS, Pulse oximetry screening is the most effective way
to detect critical congenital heart defects; and
WHEREAS, Many newborns with a critical heart defect need
surgery and related procedures during their first year of life
to repair and sustain their heart; and
WHEREAS, There continues to be a need for awareness and
funding to screen for and correct congenital heart defects; and
WHEREAS, Emersyn Grace was born on March 29, 2018, with a
heart defect that was detected before her birth and she battled
through multiple surgeries in her short life; and
WHEREAS, Though Emersyn tragically passed away in November
2018 due to complications from her heart condition,
Pennsylvanians endure with humility to honor her memory by
spreading awareness for congenital heart defects and the tests
that can detect them; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of February 7
through February 14, 2020, as "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness
Week," and further designate February 14, 2020, as "Emersyn's
Day" in Pennsylvania.
20200SR0305PN1507 - 2 -
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