[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6669-H6670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE 
                             AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 982) supporting the goals and ideals 
of National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 982

       Whereas peripheral arterial disease is a vascular disease 
     that occurs when narrowed arteries reduce the blood flow to 
     the limbs;
       Whereas peripheral arterial disease is a significant 
     vascular disease that can be as serious as a heart attack or 
     stroke;
       Whereas peripheral arterial disease affects approximately 
     8,000,000 to 12,000,000 Americans;
       Whereas patients with peripheral arterial disease are at 
     increased risk of heart attack and stroke and are 6 times 
     more likely to die within 10 years than are patients without 
     peripheral arterial disease;
       Whereas the survival rate for individuals with peripheral 
     arterial disease is worse than the outcome for many common 
     cancers;
       Whereas peripheral arterial disease is a leading cause of 
     lower limb amputation in the United States;
       Whereas many patients with peripheral arterial disease have 
     walking impairment that leads to a diminished quality of life 
     and functional capacity;
       Whereas a majority of patients with peripheral arterial 
     disease are asymptomatic and less than half of individuals 
     with peripheral arterial disease are aware of their 
     diagnoses;
       Whereas African-American ethnicity is a strong and 
     independent risk factor for peripheral arterial disease, and 
     yet this fact is not well known to those at risk;
       Whereas effective treatments are available for people with 
     peripheral arterial disease to reduce heart attacks, strokes, 
     and amputations and to improve quality of life;
       Whereas many patients with peripheral arterial disease are 
     still untreated with proven therapies;
       Whereas there is a need for comprehensive educational 
     efforts designed to increase awareness of peripheral arterial 
     disease among medical professionals and the greater public in 
     order to promote early detection and proper treatment of this 
     disease to improve quality of life, prevent heart attacks and 
     strokes, and save lives and limbs; and
       Whereas September 18 through September 22, 2006, would be 
     an appropriate week to observe National Peripheral Arterial 
     Disease Awareness Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Peripheral 
     Arterial Disease Awareness Week;
       (2) supports efforts to educate people about peripheral 
     arterial disease;
       (3) acknowledges the critical importance of peripheral 
     arterial disease awareness to improve national cardiovascular 
     health;
       (4) supports raising awareness of the consequences of 
     undiagnosed and untreated peripheral arterial disease and the 
     need to seek appropriate care as a serious public health 
     issue; and
       (5) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     the week with appropriate programs and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Deal) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material on the 
resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 982, a 
resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Peripheral 
Arterial Disease Awareness Week.
  While not as well known as many other vascular diseases, peripheral 
artery disease is a serious illness that affects millions of Americans. 
It occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. The 
disease increases the risk of heart attack and stroke and is also a 
leading cause of lower limb amputation in the United States. But 
perhaps the most alarming statistic of all is that most people who 
suffer from peripheral arterial disease have no symptoms and do not 
know that they have the disease.
  This resolution, with the goal of raising awareness of this deadly 
disease and its warning signs, was authored by my friend and colleague 
on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health, Mrs. 
Capps of California. I would like to thank Mrs.

[[Page H6670]]

Capps and her staff for their leadership and work on this important 
resolution. I look forward to hearing more about the disease and its 
impact on our Nation's cardiovascular health.
  I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I support House Resolution 982, sponsored by my 
colleague Congresswoman Capps from California.
  Madam Speaker, peripheral arterial disease is a serious ailment that 
affects millions of Americans. This resolution will help to draw 
attention to this problem by recognizing September 18 through 22 as 
Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week, and it is my hope that this 
recognition, along with educational efforts on the part of the research 
and medical communities, will help make this a problem we can overcome.
  There are more than 8 million people in the U.S., one in 20 adults, 
that have peripheral arterial disease. This is a vascular disease that 
results in the narrowing of arteries and decreased blood flow to the 
limbs. It could lead to leg pain disability and even amputation. And, 
sadly, the disease often goes unrecognized because the symptoms include 
common symptoms of old age, such as fatigue, heaviness, pain and 
cramping in the leg muscles when walking.
  In addition, Madam Speaker, this disease increases the risk of heart 
attack and stroke in people, making it six times more likely they will 
die within 10 years when compared with those who do not have peripheral 
arterial disease. Those at most risk for peripheral arterial disease 
are people over the age of 50, those who smoke, have diabetes, high 
blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, or have a history of heart 
disease or stroke. In addition, African Americans have a greater risk 
of getting peripheral arterial disease.
  Because of the serious consequences of this disease that affects both 
women and men and can strike adults of any age, it is important for 
Congress to support public awareness activities on peripheral arterial 
disease. Recognizing September 18-22 of this year as National 
Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week will help bring this deadly 
disease out of the shadows. And, Madam Speaker, as a part of this week 
of recognition, we need to encourage outreach activities to educate 
people about peripheral arterial disease. The public must understand 
that it is a serious public health issue; and given our awareness of 
these high-risk populations, education and early intervention could 
greatly benefit and decrease the incidents of peripheral arterial 
disease and improve the quality of life.
  Once again, I would indicate our support of this resolution.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 982, 
to support the goals and ideals of National Peripheral Arterial Disease 
Awareness Week. I was proud to introduce this bill with my colleague 
and fellow co-chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, 
Representative Foley.
  More than 8 million Americans, that is 1 in 20 adults, have 
peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
  Yet this condition is largely unrecognized and often goes undiagnosed 
because most people do not have any recognizable symptoms.
  PAD occurs when arteries in the legs become narrowed or clogged, 
resulting in reduced blood flow to the legs.
  A diagnosis of PAD is indication that a patient is likely to have 
narrowed arteries to the heart and brain as well and is a powerful 
warning sign of existing cardiovascular disease.
  However, without early detection and proper treatment, 1 in 4 people 
who suffer from PAD will also suffer a heart attack, stroke, amputation 
or even death within the next 5 years.
  It is evident that greater awareness about PAD and better detection 
capabilities will not only improve the quality of life for those who 
suffer from it, but can actually save their lives.
  During National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week, efforts 
are increased to make physicians and the public at-large more cognizant 
of their risks for PAD, the symptoms, and the importance of early 
treatment.
  During this week, we can assist by highlighting those who have high 
risk factors for PAD: over age 50, African Americans, smokers and those 
with high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, a personal 
history of heart disease or stroke.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution and 
encourage them to learn more about Peripheral Arterial Disease and how 
it may affect them.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 982.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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