[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H1267-H1269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1415
 SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF AMERICAN HEART MONTH AND NATIONAL 
                              WEAR RED DAY

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 112) 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. 112

       Whereas heart disease affects adult men and women of every 
     age and race in the United States;
       Whereas heart disease continues to be the leading cause of 
     death in the United States;
       Whereas an estimated 80,000,000 adult Americans, nearly one 
     in every 3, have one or more types of heart disease, 
     including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, 
     congestive heart failure, stroke, and congenital heart 
     defects;
       Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have 
     identified major and contributing factors that increase the 
     risk of heart disease;
       Whereas these studies have identified the following as 
     major risk factors that cannot be changed: Age (the risk of 
     developing heart disease gradually increases as people age; 
     advanced age significantly increases the risk), gender (men 
     have greater risk of developing heart disease than women), 
     and heredity (children of parents with heart disease are more 
     likely to develop it themselves; African-Americans have more 
     severe high blood pressure than Caucasians and therefore are 
     at higher risk; the risk is also higher among Latina 
     Americans, some Asian-Americans, and Native Americans and 
     other indigenous populations);
       Whereas these studies have identified the following as 
     major risk factors that Americans can modify, treat, or 
     control by changing their lifestyle or seeking appropriate 
     medical treatment: High blood pressure, high blood 
     cholesterol, smoking tobacco products and exposure to tobacco 
     smoke, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes mellitus;
       Whereas these studies have identified the following as 
     contributing risk factors that Americans can also take action 
     to modify, treat or control by changing their lifestyle or 
     seeking appropriate medical treatment: Individual response to 
     stress, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, use of 
     certain illegal drugs, and hormone replacement therapy;
       Whereas more than 106,000,000 adult Americans have high 
     blood pressure;
       Whereas more than 37,000,000 Americans have cholesterol 
     levels of 240 mg/dL or higher, the level at which it becomes 
     a major risk factor;
       Whereas an estimated 43,000,000 Americans put themselves at 
     risk for heart disease every day by smoking cigarettes;
       Whereas data released by the Centers for Disease Control 
     and Prevention shows that more than 65 percent of American 
     adults do not get enough physical activity, and more than 39 
     percent are not physically active at all;
       Whereas 66 percent of adult Americans are overweight or 
     obese;
       Whereas 24 million adult Americans have diabetes and 65 
     percent of those so afflicted will die of some form of heart 
     disease;
       Whereas the American Heart Association projects that in 
     2009 1,200,000 Americans will have a first or recurrent heart 
     attack and 452,000 of these people will die as a result;
       Whereas in 2009 approximately 800,000 Americans will suffer 
     a new or recurrent stroke and 160,000 of these people will 
     die as a result;
       Whereas advances in medical research have significantly 
     improved our capacity to fight heart disease by providing 
     greater knowledge about its causes, innovative diagnostic 
     tools to detect the disease, and new and improved treatments 
     that help people survive and recover from this disease;
       Whereas Congress by Joint Resolution approved on December 
     30, 1963 (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 101), has 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 February as ``American 
     Heart Month'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     goals and ideals of American Heart Month and National Wear 
     Red Day.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,

[[Page H1268]]

under the leadership of our new chairman, the Honorable Edolphus Towns 
of New York, I am pleased to stand in support of House Resolution 112, 
which expresses support for the goals and ideals of both the American 
Heart Month and for National Wear Red Day.
  The measure now before us was authored by Representative Chris Lee of 
New York, and it enjoys the cosponsorship of nearly 60 Members of 
Congress. On Wednesday, February 11, the House Oversight Committee took 
up House Resolution 112 and reported the bill favorably, which brings 
us to today's consideration of this thoughtful, commemorative 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, House Resolution 112 is designed to support the goals 
of American Heart Month, which is annually commemorated during the 
month of February as a way of highlighting the devastating impact of 
cardiovascular disease on our Nation. In fact, heart disease, including 
stroke, serves as the number one killer of Americans. Since 1963, the 
American Heart Association and Congress have worked collectively to 
draw our attention to the causes and effects of heart disease, and I am 
happy to be joining the gentleman from New York today as we continue to 
emphasize the need for greater research and awareness of heart disease 
through House Resolution 112.
  In addition to American Heart Month, House Resolution 112 also 
expresses support for National Wear Red Day, which this year was held 
on Friday, February 6. National Wear Red Day is designed to support the 
fight against heart disease in women by encouraging Americans to wear 
red at their workplaces, in places of worship, out in their communities 
or at home. While a simple concept in theory, in practice, National 
Wear Red Day is a powerful way of raising awareness among our 
population of heart disease and stroke among women.
  Madam Speaker, given the worthy causes prompted by the American Heart 
Month and by National Wear Red Day, I stand in full support of House 
Resolution 112, and I urge my colleagues to do the same by voting in 
support of the resolution.
  I now reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of this resolution, urging the support of the 
American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day.
  In 1963, Congress required the President to proclaim February as 
American Heart Month in an effort to bring awareness and to urge 
Americans to join the battle against today's number one killer, heart 
disease.
  Heart disease has and remains the leading cause of death in the 
United States of America. Its tragic grip encompasses men, women and 
children of every age and race in every State in our Nation. 
Approximately one in three adult Americans have one or more types of 
heart disease, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, 
congestive heart failure, stroke, and congenital heart disease.
  There are currently 106 million Americans diagnosed with high blood 
pressure. A staggering 66 percent of adult Americans are overweight or 
are obese, and 43 million Americans are at risk for heart disease 
because of smoking. All of these lifestyles, among many others, have a 
direct impact on heart disease, therefore, making it imperative that we 
should sound the alarm and should remain supportive of heart disease 
awareness programs. By exercising regularly, by avoiding tobacco, by 
limiting the consumption of alcohol, by following a nutritious diet and 
by monitoring high cholesterol and high blood pressure, we can all work 
to decrease the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
  Although heart disease does not care what you wear, which is a slogan 
used by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute as part of 
American Heart Month, February 6 is National Wear Red Day, a day when 
people across the United States wear red to show their support for 
women's heart disease awareness.
  Studies show that women tend to receive delayed emergency heart care 
compared to men because their symptoms are less recognized; although, 
women account for more than half of the total heart disease deaths. 
There are currently a number of initiatives that are underway to raise 
awareness of the dangers of cardiovascular disease in women. However, 
the challenging work of promoting awareness continues as cardiovascular 
disease increases in the country.
  While encouraging all citizens to take advantage of regular 
screenings and to consult their doctors about reducing the risks for 
heart disease, I am proud to do my part through the support of this 
resolution. It is also important that we support organizations such as 
the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health and 
many other organizations that celebrate National Wear Red Day. American 
Heart Month in February is an effort to educate the public, to promote 
awareness and to fund the research of this serious disease.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume 
to my distinguished colleague from the State of New York, Mr. Lee.
  Mr. LEE of New York. Madam Speaker, as we all know, the United States 
has marked American Heart Month every February for the last 45 years.
  I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Towns, and the ranking member, Mr. 
Issa, for their cooperation in getting this resolution to the floor so 
quickly. I also want to thank our nearly 60 cosponsors from both sides 
of the aisle.
  Two years ago, I lost my father-in-law to heart disease. Ironically, 
three nights ago, a very close friend of mine--49 years old, in the 
best shape of his life--had a stroke. So it tells you this can strike 
at any time and anywhere to anyone.
  Heart disease and stroke affect more people in western New York than 
anywhere else in the country. Here are some other facts: The rate of 
stroke death in western New York is 23 percent higher than the national 
rate and is 79 percent higher than the aggregate New York State rate. 
Heart disease kills ten times as many women in western New York as 
breast cancer and six times as many women as lung cancer. Of course, 
heart disease remains the number one cause of death for both women and 
men throughout the United States.
  The one fact that troubles me greatly is that only 58 percent of 
western New York residents report visiting doctors on a routine basis 
or having their blood pressure and cholesterol checked. That number is 
just simply too low.
  The one thing we can do is raise public awareness for both heart 
disease and stroke without spending a dime. We just need to talk to 
family and friends about the warning signs of these silent killers and 
what preventative steps we can take to ensure it does not happen. The 
simple act of going to a doctor or even visiting the American Heart Web 
site may be all it takes to save a life.
  I also want to point out that this resolution also recognizes the 
importance of National Wear Red Day. Last Friday, companies, 
organizations and cities across America, including Rochester and 
Buffalo, New York, showed their support for women's heart disease 
awareness by wearing red.
  I am also entering into the Record a letter from the American Heart 
Association in support of this resolution and the goals and ideals of 
American Heart Month.
  I hope that, in addition to the passage of this resolution, my 
colleagues will join me in talking to constituents so as to raise 
awareness of these deadly diseases.

                                   American Heart Association,

                                Washington, DC, February 12, 2009.
     Hon. Chris Lee,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Lee: On behalf of the American Heart 
     Association and our more than 22 million volunteers and 
     supporters nationwide, thank you for your leadership in 
     introducing your Congressional resolution (H. Res. 112) 
     supporting the goals and ideals of American Heart Month and 
     National Wear Red Day. The Association is pleased to support 
     this resolution.
       As you know, heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular 
     diseases remain the No. 1 killer and a major cause of 
     permanent disability in the United States. And although one 
     in three American adults suffer from some form of 
     cardiovascular disease, too many people still don't know the 
     risk factors, warning signs, or steps they can take to reduce 
     their risk.

[[Page H1269]]

       Each year in February, we recognize American Heart Month as 
     a way of reaffirming our national commitment to fighting 
     heart disease and raising awareness among Americans about the 
     need to know their risk for heart disease and to take action 
     to reduce that risk. Likewise, we recognize the first Friday 
     of each February as National Wear Red Day to raise awareness 
     among women and their healthcare providers about heart 
     disease as the leading killer of women.
       We applaud your efforts to help educate your constituents 
     and Americans nationwide about heart disease, its risk 
     factors and warning signs. You're making a real difference in 
     people's lives.
       Thanks again for introducing this resolution. Please don't 
     hesitate to call on the American Heart Association and our 
     American Stroke Association division again in the future if 
     we can be of assistance to you on health policy issues or 
     concerns.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Sue A. Nelson,
                                 Vice President, Federal Advocacy.

  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the 
passage of H. Res. 112. I congratulate my colleague, Mr. Lee, for his 
important work on this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, again, I join my colleagues across the 
aisle in supporting the underlying resolution (H. Res. 112), and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 112.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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