IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 451 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 18, 2009 Mr. Boozman submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to childhood stroke and designating an appropriate date as National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day.

Whereas a stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, is an acute neurologic injury that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted by a clot in the artery or a burst of the artery; Whereas a stroke is a medical emergency that can cause permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated; Whereas 26 out of every 100,000 newborns and almost 3 out of every 100,000 children have a stroke each year; Whereas an individual can have a stroke before birth; Whereas stroke is among the top 10 causes of death for children in the United States; Whereas 12 percent of all children who experience a stroke die as a result; Whereas stroke recurs in 20 percent of children who have experienced a prior stroke; Whereas the death rate for children who experience a stroke before the age of 1 year is the highest out of all age groups; Whereas the average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of stroke is 24 hours, putting many affected children outside the window of 3 hours for the most successful treatment; Whereas many children who experience a stroke will suffer serious, long-term neurological disabilities, including— (1)hemiplegia, which is paralysis of 1 side of the body; (2)seizures; (3)speech and vision problems; and (4)learning difficulties; Whereas those disabilities may require ongoing physical therapy and surgeries; Whereas the permanent health concerns and treatments resulting from strokes that occur during childhood and young adulthood have a considerable impact on children, families, and society; Whereas very little is known about the cause, treatment, and prevention of childhood stroke; Whereas medical research is the only means by which the citizens of the United States can identify and develop effective treatment and prevention strategies for childhood stroke; Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of childhood stroke greatly improves the chances that the affected child will recover and not experience a recurrence; and Whereas The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia should be commended for its initiative in creating the Nation’s first program dedicated to pediatric stroke patients: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the designation of an appropriate date as National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day; and (2)urges the people of the United States to support the efforts, programs, services, and advocacy of organizations that work to enhance public awareness of childhood stroke.