[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 629 Engrossed in House (EH)]


H. Res. 629

                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                     February 14, 2006.
Whereas congenital heart defects are structural problems with the heart that are 
        present at birth;
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 congenital 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, That the House of Representatives 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.



            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.