[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 163--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE WITH RESPECT 
 TO CHILDHOOD STROKE AND DESIGNATING AN APPROPRIATE DATE AS ``NATIONAL 
                    CHILDHOOD STROKE AWARENESS DAY''

  Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 163

       Whereas a stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, 
     is an acute neurologic injury that occurs when the blood 
     supply to a part of the brain is interrupted by a clot in the 
     artery or a burst of the artery;
       Whereas a stroke is a medical emergency that can cause 
     permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly 
     diagnosed and treated;
       Whereas 26 out of every 100,000 newborns and almost 3 out 
     of every 100,000 children have a stroke each year;
       Whereas an individual can have a stroke before birth;
       Whereas stroke is among the top 10 causes of death for 
     children in the United States;
       Whereas 9 percent of all children who experience a stroke 
     die as a result;
       Whereas stroke recurs in 20 percent of children who have 
     experienced a stroke;
       Whereas the death rate for children who experience a stroke 
     before the age of 1 year is the highest out of all age 
     groups;
       Whereas the average time from onset of symptoms to 
     diagnosis of stroke is 24 hours, putting many affected 
     children outside the window of 3 hours for the most 
     successful treatment;
       Whereas many children who experience a stroke will suffer 
     serious, long-term neurological disabilities, including--
       (1) hemiplegia, which is paralysis of 1 side of the body;
       (2) seizures;
       (3) speech and vision problems; and
       (4) learning difficulties;
       Whereas such disabilities may require ongoing physical 
     therapy and surgeries;
       Whereas the permanent health concerns and treatments 
     resulting from strokes that occur during childhood and young 
     adulthood have a considerable impact on children, families, 
     and society;
       Whereas very little is known about the cause, treatment, 
     and prevention of childhood stroke;
       Whereas medical research is the only means by which the 
     citizens of the United States can identify and develop 
     effective treatment and prevention strategies for childhood 
     stroke;
       Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of childhood stroke 
     greatly improves the chances that the affected child will 
     recover and not experience a recurrence; and
       Whereas The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia should be 
     commended for its initiative in creating the Nation's first 
     program dedicated to pediatric stroke patients: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of an appropriate date as 
     ``National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day''; and
       (2) urges the people of the United States to support the 
     efforts, programs, services, and advocacy of organizations 
     that work to enhance public awareness of childhood stroke.

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