[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H2646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 STROKE AWARENESS MONTH/STOP STROKE ACT

  (Mrs. CAPPS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I wish to remind my colleagues today that 
May is Stroke Awareness Month.
  Throughout this month we recognize the millions of Americans 
struggling with the effects of stroke, and we recommit ourselves to 
helping them. We also acknowledge the efforts of organizations, like 
the American Stroke Association, which provide leadership, helping all 
of us to prevent and treat stroke.
  On average every 45 seconds, someone in the United States has a 
stroke, and someone dies from stroke every 3 minutes. Representative 
Pickering and I have introduced the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing 
Prevention Stroke Act, H.R. 898, the STOP Stroke Act, which now has the 
support of 132 of our colleagues. This legislation will increase 
awareness, provide critical resources to implement stroke care systems. 
The legislation will help ensure that patients recognize the symptoms 
of stroke and treat it as a medical emergency. We want to ensure that 
hospitals and other health care providers provide timely, lifesaving 
treatment that reduces disability from stroke and the need for 
extensive rehabilitation.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill and all efforts which 
address the scourge of stroke.

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