[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 35 (Thursday, March 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF AMERICAN HEART MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 52, 
to support the goals and ideals of American Heart Month. The leading 
cause of death in the United States is not murder or gang violence or 
any other violent crime; it is heart disease. The statistics are 
staggering. One-third of adult Americans have 1 or more of the 
following heart diseases: high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, 
congestive heart failure, stroke, and congenital heart defects. While 
some of the major risk factors of heart disease like advanced age, 
gender, and heredity cannot be changed, minorities are at a greater 
risk than whites to die from heart disease and die at higher rates. 
Heart disease also is devastating to women. In 2003 a total of 685,089 
people died of heart disease; 51 percent of these victims were women. 
Nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease 
and stroke as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.
  Turning to African Americans, the numbers are even more shocking. Out 
of the five largest U.S. racial/ethnic groups, the death rate of 300 
per 100,000 population for African Americans is the highest.
  It is essential for all Americans to be aware of the risk factors 
associated with heart disease and to take the necessary precautions to 
reduce those risks. Fortunately, there are things Americans can do to 
reduce the risk of heart disease. They can reduce stress, increase 
physical activity, consume alcoholic beverages in moderation, refrain 
from using illegal drugs or smoking or hormone replacement therapy.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H. Con. Res. 52 because we need to take the 
steps necessary to encourage Americans to fight the causes of heart 
disease and to take to heart the four simple ``healthy life, healthy 
heart goals'' identified by the Healthier US initiative of the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services:
  Regular exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight; good eating 
habits; avoidance of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol; and regular 
checkups and screenings.
  Mr. Speaker, we must not allow heart disease to become a silent 
killer. Let us support the goals and ideals of American Heart Month. I 
thank my colleague, Representative Millender-McDonald for introducing 
this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting H. Con. Res. 52.

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