[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 13, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H917-H918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF AMERICAN HEART MONTH AND NATIONAL
WEAR RED DAY
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 972) supporting the goals and ideals of American
Heart Month and National Wear Red Day.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 972
Whereas diseases of the heart are the Nation's leading
cause of death and stroke is the third leading cause of death
in both men and women;
Whereas nearly 2,400 American men, women, and children die
of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death
every 37 seconds;
Whereas many people do not recognize that heart disease,
stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the number 1
killer of American women, claiming the lives of almost
460,000 American women each year or about one per minute;
Whereas we as a Nation have made great progress in reducing
the death rates for coronary heart disease, but this progress
has been much more modest in women and minorities, resulting
in cardiovascular disease disparities;
Whereas many minority women, including African-American,
Hispanic, Native-American and some subgroups of Asian-
American women, have a greater prevalence of risk factors or
are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke, and
other cardiovascular diseases, but they are less likely to
know of this risk;
Whereas cardiovascular diseases cost the Nation more than
any other cause of death, with direct and indirect costs
estimated to reach $448.5 billion in the United States in
2008;
Whereas the research is clear that there are tools
available to prevent heart disease, stroke, and other
cardiovascular diseases and to improve survival rates from
cardiovascular disease;
Whereas Congress, by Joint Resolution approved on December
30, 1963, requested that the President issue an annual
proclamation designating February as ``American Heart
Month'';
Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of
the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart
Association, and many other organizations celebrate
``National Wear Red Day'' during February by ``going red'' to
increase awareness about heart disease as the leading killer
of women; and
Whereas every year since 1964 the President has issued a
proclamation designating the month of February as ``American
Heart Month'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ``American Heart
Month'' and ``National Wear Red Day'';
(2) commends the efforts of States, territories and
possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit
organizations, businesses, and other entities, and the people
of the United States who support ``American Heart Month'' and
``National Wear Red Day'';
(3) recognizes and reaffirms our commitment to fighting
heart disease and stroke by promoting awareness about its
causes, risks, and prevention, supporting research, and
expanding access to medical treatment; and
(4) encourages each and every American to learn about their
own personal risk for heart disease.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Capps) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs.
Myrick) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H. Res. 972 which I
am proud to have introduced with Congresswomen Fallin, Schakowsky,
McMorris Rodgers, Christensen, and Cubin. This diverse group of lead
sponsors is testament to the importance of raising greater awareness
about heart disease, and especially heart disease in women.
The resolution recognizes both Heart Month and National Wear Red Day,
both of which occur in February. Heart Month was first designated 45
years ago and has served as a launching pad to spur advocates into
action around the country.
In my hometown of Santa Barbara, there will be a Go Red for Women
luncheon in the coming weeks. This event provides opportunities for
women to learn more about heart health for themselves and also for the
role they often play as the health decisionmaker in their families.
The importance of community events like Go Red for Women lunches
cannot be overstated. Heart disease is the number one killer of both
women and men. But now, in fact, more women than men die of heart
disease each year. Unfortunately, there is still an existing knowledge
gap both in terms of public awareness and professional awareness.
Despite the fact that almost 460,000 American women die of heart
disease every year, women are still grossly underrepresented in
clinical trials, as one example. The numbers are even worse for
minority women who are at an even greater risk for developing heart
disease and who have many more barriers to accessing care.
So today, as we pass this resolution to recognize the importance of
Heart Month and Wear Red Day, let us use this opportunity to discuss
the real changes we can make to improve women's heart health.
My colleague, Barbara Cubin, and I have introduced H.R. 1014 the
HEART for Women Act. This act takes crucial steps to address women's
heart health. It ensures that research is stratified by gender. In
other words, that we recognize that women need to have research
[[Page H918]]
that will take their needs into consideration, provides for an
educational campaign for health professionals, and expands the very
successful WISEWOMAN program that conducts cardiovascular screening for
low-income women that has been, in the pilot phase, proven very
successful in various parts of the country.
We had a successful hearing in the Health Subcommittee, and I would
like to thank the Energy and Commerce Committee for working hard to
move this legislation along in, I hope, the very near future.
Finally, I would like to thank the Speaker for suggesting that we
encourage everyone to wear red tomorrow in order that we be even more
visible to all of our colleagues and others on the Hill to continue
this very important dialogue.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady, my friend from
California, for all of the hard work she has put into this issue for
the last several years, not just this year. It has been a real passion
with her for a long time, and I thank her for that.
I rise in support of this important resolution because it does raise
awareness about heart disease and the effect on women, which doesn't
get talked about as much as heart disease in men.
As a breast cancer survivor, I spend a lot of time raising awareness
about breast cancer and the importance of preventive screening and
effective treatments. Those are vital battles, and as a country we have
made great strides towards earlier detection of cancer and less
invasive treatments.
But when we are reminded that heart disease is the leading cause of
death for American women, it is a sobering thought. I remember being
surprised to learn that the physical symptoms of heart attacks in women
are often different than they are in men. Women are less likely to feel
typical chest pains during the attacks. Women's symptoms are often
characterized by back pain, nausea, indigestion, dizziness, and
fatigue. While typical symptoms are hard to recognize, it is important
to be vigilant about heart health.
Many lifesaving treatments like anticlotting drugs and angioplasty
work best if given within the first hour of a heart attack, so it is
important that we know what is going on with us as women. But before
you get to that point, you want to prevent life-threatening heart
attacks the easy way, through lifestyle changes that can keep heart
disease in check.
The NIH and the FDA have helpful guidelines about steps that all
American women and men can take to improve heart health. Some tips are
as easy as talking to your doctor about it, and some are as easy as
taking a daily stroll.
I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this resolution, and I hope
women all across the country will take some time to do something good
for themselves relative to their heart, and to wear red.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield so much time as she
may consume to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, we are all joining together to sponsor
this resolution. Before I speak, I want to commend both the gentlelady
from California and the gentlelady from North Carolina for the
exceptional work that they have done on this issue.
We all are on the Health Subcommittee. They have worked diligently on
this and have continued in their efforts to raise awareness on heart
health for women. The resolution is timely. It is something that we
hope tomorrow is going to share the limelight a bit with Valentine's
Day as we raise awareness on the importance of heart health for women.
It is also something that is important as an educational tool as we
each individually, and then all working together, continue our outreach
efforts to make certain that women are aware of the signs of the
disease, they are aware of the precautions, and they are then properly
informed of the steps that they need to take.
Again, I commend my colleagues for their diligence and work. I
appreciate the opportunity to sponsor the legislation with them.
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.
Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma
(Ms. Fallin), who is a cosponsor of this resolution, such time as she
may consume.
Ms. FALLIN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate both of my fine colleagues here
and their sponsorship of this great resolution to honor women and, of
course, the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Month. It is a
very important resolution, and I thank the gentlewoman from California
for her leadership in the Women's Caucus, especially in highlighting
women's health.
I, too, am very proud to be a sponsor of this legislation. As you
know, February is American Heart Month, and now is a great time for all
of our Members of Congress, and concerned citizens in our Nation, to
focus on how we can live healthier lifestyles, to educate ourselves on
what we can do to prevent heart disease and to prevent stroke, and to
live the kind of quality of life that we all deserve.
I think it has already been mentioned that heart disease is the
number one killer in the United States, and it certainly is a huge
problem in the State of Oklahoma. Heart disease afflicts more than one
in four Americans, and nearly 80 million in total in our Nation. And
for many, it is a deadly disease. Heart disease also kills about two
Americans per minute.
And contrary to popular opinion, heart disease is every bit as
dangerous for women as it is for men. In the last two decades, more
women than men have died from it. In my home State alone, almost 20
women a day die from heart-related illnesses.
Tomorrow, millions of men and women are participating in National Go
Red Day. I know I have on black today, and I think all the other ladies
have on black, but tomorrow we will be wearing our red. I encourage all
of our colleagues here in Congress to wear their red, as well as those
around the Nation.
As we wear red tomorrow, we will remind those around us of the
importance of fighting this disease. And we can fight this disease by
starting just to take some simple precautions: exercising, maintaining
healthy eating styles, and refraining of course from habits that are
harmful to our health like smoking.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues and all Americans to wear red
tomorrow, and to remember the millions of people who suffer with heart
disease and to think about what we can do to fight this terrible
illness.
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend our colleagues who have
spoken to this important topic, and particularly my good friend and
colleague from North Carolina, Mrs. Myrick, who is symbolizing in her
attire what we will all be doing tomorrow, which is not only
Valentine's Day but Wear Red Day during Heart Month, to underscore the
need for all of us to pay attention to women and heart disease in this
month of February.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. MYRICK. I have no further speakers, and I also I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 972.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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