[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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