[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 19 (Monday, February 28, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          AMERICAN HEART MONTH

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, February is American Heart Month. This 
month gives special recognition to the seriousness of cardiovascular 
diseases, including heart attack and stroke, America's No. 1 killer of 
men and women and a leading cause of disability.
  During American Heart Month, the American Heart Association and its 
more than 3.6 million volunteers canvass neighborhoods nationwide. They 
distribute educational materials and solicit public support for the AHA 
mission, the reduction of disability and death from cardiovascular 
diseases and stroke.
  This year's American Heart Month theme is ``Kids Who Use Their Brains 
Use Their Bodies.'' According to the AHA, healthy lifestyles started in 
childhood may make the difference in reducing the chances of heart 
attack and stroke later in life. AHA-sponsored activities and 
information during this month are aimed at teaching children about the 
importance of regular exercise, proper nutrition, and not smoking to 
take care of their hearts.
  Brandin Johns, an 11-year-old Poulsbo Elementary School student in 
Poulsbo, WA, is featured in the American Heart Association's ``Kids at 
Heart'' video package used during American Heart Month. This story 
focuses on Brandin's personal struggle with heart disease and how the 
love from his family, support from his school, and advances from 
medical research help with his life-threatening disease.
  Brandin was born with a congenital heart defect that causes his heart 
to beat abnormally. As a result of research progress, an automatic 
defibrillator, modified for his particular case, can shock Brandin's 
heart back into normal rhythm. Brandin must carry this device 
everywhere he goes. His entire family, his school nurse, and others 
have been trained to use the automatic defibrillator. He almost died 
from cardiac arrest in 1989. His congenital heart defect will not be 
outgrown and cannot be cured, but thanks to medical research 
breakthroughs, Brandin has a promising future. I am proud of Brandin 
and his courage.
  Many people think heart disease does not strike children. I applaud 
the American Heart Association's work in increasing the awareness of 
Americans that infants and children can suffer from heart disease. The 
AHA reports that more than 600,000 children in the United States have 
some form of heart disease and nearly half of the approximately 80 
million Americans under the age of 21 will eventually die of heart 
attack and stroke. According to the AHA, about 440,000 children have 
malformed hearts and about 32,000 infants with congenital heart disease 
are born every year. AHA statistics show that about 9 percent of these 
newborns die from these inborn heart defects before age 1. Congenital 
heart defects are the most common form of birth defects and the most 
prevalent cause of fatal birth defects.
  Progress has been made against cardiovascular diseases, but they 
remain the leading cause of death in the United States. We need further 
advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of America's No. 1 
killer, cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke.
  I ask unanimous consent that this year's Presidential proclamation on 
American Heart Month be printed at this point in the Congressional 
Record.
  There being no objection, the proclamation was ordered to be printed 
in the Record, as follows:

                  [Proclamation 6648 of Feb. 3, 1994]

                       American Heart Month, 1994

           (By the President of the United States of America)

       The heart is one of nature's most efficient and durable 
     machines. During an average lifetime, the heart contacts an 
     amazing 2.5 billion times. Although we now realize that it 
     functions as a life-giving pump, the human heart was thought 
     of by ancient man as the very soul of one's being. Certain 
     words, such as ``courage'' and ``cordial,'' are derived from 
     the Latin word for heart, symbolizing its prominence and 
     significance.
       Heart disease was not recognized until about 1500 A.D., for 
     the heart was considered so delicate and sensitive that death 
     was believed to be inevitable if the heart were injured in 
     any way. Although most causes of heart disease observed early 
     in the 20th century are still present today, the treatment 
     and cures of the disease are not dramatically altered.
       Today, heart disease is one health threat that Americans 
     can conquer. Extraordinary scientific advances, together with 
     increased public awareness, have forged one of this century's 
     greatest medical achievements, saving untold lives through 
     improved prevention and treatment. However, as long as 
     cardiovascular diseases and stroke threaten the lives of 
     Americans, we must continue in our diligent efforts to fight 
     these diseases.
       Today, many Americans are joining in this fight by taking 
     steps to reduce their chances of developing a cardiovascular 
     disease. They have learned to avoid the major risk factors by 
     controlling blood pressure and blood cholesterol, by avoiding 
     tobacco products, and by becoming more physically active.
       At the same time, scientists are developing better ways to 
     detect and treat cardiovascular diseases and stroke. 
     Revolutionary advances are reducing the physical suffering 
     exacted by heart disease and are making diagnosis and 
     treatment more successful.
       The Federal Government has contributed to these 
     achievements by supporting research and public education 
     through its National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The 
     American Heart Association, through its research and 
     education programs and its vital network of dedicated 
     volunteers, has played a crucial role in bringing about these 
     remarkable accomplishments.
       The results of the many scientific and public education 
     achievements are dramatic. From 1972 through 1990, the death 
     rate from heart disease dropped 39 percent and the death rate 
     from strokes fell 57.4 percent.
       However, these advances have not yet eradicated the 
     devastating consequences of heart disease, which remains the 
     leading cause of death in the United States today. American 
     men and women still suffer about 1.25 million heart attacks 
     each year. About 50 million Americans still have high blood 
     pressure--and uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major 
     cause of stroke. Virtually every American has grieved for a 
     relative or friend debilitated or killed by a cardiovascular 
     disease or stroke.
       In recognition of the need for all of us to become involved 
     in the ongoing fight against cardiovascular diseases, the 
     Congress, by Joint Resolution approved December 30, 1963 (77 
     Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 169b), has requested that the President 
     issue an annual proclamation designating February as 
     ``American Heart Month.''
       Now, therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the 
     United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of 
     February 1994 as American Heart Month. I invite the Governors 
     of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of 
     other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, 
     and the American people to join me in reaffirming our 
     commitment to combating cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
       In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this third 
     day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and 
     ninety-four, and of the Independence of the United States of 
     America the two hundred and eighteenth.
     William J. Clinton.

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