[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AWARENESS MONTH

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                   HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Mr. PICKERING. Madam Speaker, today I introduce a resolution to 
designate October as Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.
  By selecting this month as Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, we 
can promote awareness of this tragic disease, and support the goals of 
a ``National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.''
  The Heart Rhythm Society states that Sudden Cardiac Arrest takes the 
lives of more than 250,000 people in the United States each year and 
has approximately a 95 percent mortality rate according to the National 
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. In order to survive the attack, the 
American Heart Association states that victims of sudden cardiac arrest 
must receive a lifesaving defibrillation within the first 4 to 6 
minutes of an attack.
  Sean Patrick O'Hara, a 21-year-old University of Mississippi student, 
died of Sudden Cardiac Arrest while studying for final exams. Sean's 
mother, Dawn Cartwright, has started the only Sudden Cardiac Arrest 
Chapter in Mississippi to spread awareness, educate the public, and to 
help provide Automated External Defibrillators in all public venues. 
Through tireless dedication, Ms. Cartwright is working to raise public 
awareness about the devastating effects of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
  Education and public awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, the 
warning signs and the need to seek medical attention are critical to 
preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest deaths.
  I hope that my colleagues will join Ms. Capps and myself to help save 
lives and inform the public about this critical disease by naming 
October National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.

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