[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 239 Introduced in House (IH)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 239

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to 
   childhood stroke and recognizing May 2015 as ``National Pediatric 
                       Stroke Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 30, 2015

  Mr. Himes (for himself, Mr. Hastings, and Mr. Rangel) 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 recognizing May 2015 as ``National Pediatric 
                       Stroke Awareness Month''.

Whereas a stroke, also known as cerebrovascular disease, 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 a stroke occurs in approximately 1 out of every 3,500 live births, and 
        4.6 out of 100,000 children ages 19 and under experience a stroke each 
        year;
Whereas a stroke can occur before birth;
Whereas stroke is among the top 12 causes of death for children between the ages 
        of 1 and 14 in the United States;
Whereas 20 to 40 percent of children who have suffered a stroke die as a result;
Whereas a stroke recurs within 5 years in 10 percent of children who have had an 
        ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke;
Whereas the death rate for children who experience a stroke before the age of 1 
        is the highest out of all child age groups;
Whereas there are no approved therapies for the treatment of acute stroke in 
        infants and children;
Whereas approximately 60 percent of infants and children who have a pediatric 
        stroke will have serious, permanent neurological disabilities, including 
        paralysis, seizures, speech and vision problems, and attention, 
        learning, and behavioral difficulties;
Whereas such disabilities may require ongoing physical therapy and surgeries;
Whereas the permanent health concerns of and treatments for strokes that occur 
        during childhood and young adulthood have considerable impacts on 
        children, families, and society;
Whereas more information is necessary regarding the cause, treatment, and 
        prevention of pediatric strokes;
Whereas medical research is the only means by which the people of the United 
        States can identify and develop effective treatment and prevention 
        strategies for pediatric strokes; and
Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric strokes greatly improves the 
        chances that an affected child will recover and not experience a 
        recurrence of a stroke: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes ``National Pediatric Stroke Awareness 
        Month'';
            (2) urges the people of the United States to support the 
        efforts, programs, services, and organizations that enhance 
        public awareness of pediatric stroke;
            (3) supports the work of the National Institutes of Health 
        in pursuit of medical progress on pediatric stroke; and
            (4) urges continued coordination and cooperation between 
        the Federal Government, State and local governments, 
        researchers, families, and the public to improve treatments and 
        prognoses for children who suffer from strokes.
                                 <all>