[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 163 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 163

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to childhood stroke and 
    designating an appropriate date as ``National Childhood Stroke 
                            Awareness Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 21, 2009

   Mr. Casey (for himself and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Senate 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 9 percent of all children who experience a stroke die as a result;
Whereas stroke recurs in 20 percent of children who have experienced a 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 such 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (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.
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