[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 12 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14-18, 2000, AS ``NATIONAL HEART 
                        FAILURE AWARENESS WEEK''

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 256, submitted earlier by 
Senator Specter.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 256) designating the week of February 
     14 to 18, 2000, as ``National Heart Failure Awareness Week.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. GORTON. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, 
and, finally, any statements relating to the resolution be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 256) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 256

       Whereas the primary goals of ``National Heart Failure 
     Awareness Week'' are--
       (1) to promote research related to all aspects of heart 
     failure and provide a forum for presentation of that 
     research;
       (2) to educate heart failure caregivers and patients 
     through programs, publications, and other media allowing for 
     more effective treatment and diagnosis of heart failure; and
       (3) to enhance the quality and duration of life for those 
     with heart failure;
       Whereas heart failure, a disease of the heart muscle, is of 
     epidemic proportions in the United States;
       Whereas as of January 1, 2000, approximately 4,600,000 
     Americans had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, 
     and an estimated 450,000 more cases will be diagnosed in the 
     year 2000;
       Whereas coronary artery disease is a cause in approximately 
     50 percent of the cases of patients with heart failure, and 
     in such cases, patients often have heart attacks or require 
     bypass surgery;
       Whereas the incidence of heart failure increases with age 
     and is the most frequent cause of hospitalization for 
     individuals over the age of 65;
       Whereas the prognosis for those diagnosed with heart 
     failure is not promising, as less than 50 percent of patients 
     live more than 5 years after their initial diagnosis; and
       Whereas it is vital that the American public become aware 
     of the enormous impact of heart failure, and be better 
     educated regarding the signs and symptoms of the disease: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) in recognition of all the individuals who have devoted 
     time and energy toward increasing public awareness and 
     education on heart failure, designates the week of February 
     14-18, 2000, as ``National Heart Failure Awareness Week''; 
     and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe the 
     week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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