[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 10 Introduced in House (IH)]







111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 10

Supporting the observance of World Stroke Awareness Day, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 7, 2009

Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
  which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in 
   addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the observance of World Stroke Awareness Day, and for other 
                               purposes.

Whereas stroke can be preventable and treatable, and catastrophe can be avoided;
Whereas stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and a leading 
        cause of adult disability;
Whereas stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide;
Whereas on average, someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 45 
        seconds, and every 3 to 4 minutes someone dies of one;
Whereas underlying factors such as aging, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and 
        physical inactivity fuel a growing epidemic of high blood pressure, high 
        cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease;
Whereas stroke symptoms can be painless and fleeting, such as sudden weakness or 
        numbness in the face, arm, or leg, sudden inability to speak or 
        understand speech, loss of vision in one eye, or sudden loss of balance;
Whereas the most common severe stroke symptoms are crushing chest pain or 
        sudden, severe unusual headache;
Whereas brain injury from a stroke can affect the senses, motor activity, 
        speech, and the ability to understand speech;
Whereas brain injury from a stroke can also affect behavioral and thought 
        patterns, memory, and emotions, and cause paralysis or weakness on one 
        side of the body;
Whereas each year stroke occurs in 1 out of 400 newborns and in 3 out of 50,000 
        children, and stroke can occur before birth;
Whereas the estimated cost of stroke in 2006 is $57.9 billion;
Whereas 2.3 percent of Caucasians, 3.5 percent of African-Americans, and 2.2 
        percent of Hispanic-Americans have had a stroke;
Whereas worldwide, stroke accounts for 5,700,000 deaths each year;
Whereas 4 out of 5 strokes occur in low and middle income countries who can 
        least afford to deal with the consequences of stroke;
Whereas the current predicted number of people who will die from stroke 
        worldwide will increase to 6,700,000 each year by 2015;
Whereas 6,000,000 deaths around the world could be averted over the next 10 
        years if what is already known is applied; and
Whereas consistent funding is needed to ensure continued progression in 
        treatment development and technology, and to improve the quality of life 
        for stroke survivors: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) supports the observance of World Stroke Awareness Day 
        in order to provide a special opportunity to offer education on 
        the importance of prevention and treatment;
            (2) salutes the more than 5,500,000 survivors in the United 
        States and the efforts of volunteers and professionals who 
        assist patients every day; and
            (3) emphasizes the need to coordinate the efforts of all 
        disease-oriented organizations in order to prevent the rise of 
        underlying risk factors and promote healthy living behaviors 
        around the world.
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