[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 83 (Thursday, June 4, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H6244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL CPR/AED AWARENESS WEEK

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as an 
emergency medical technician to express my support for the National CPR 
and AED Awareness Week.
  Only 8 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive. But with 
simple training, anyone can attempt to save the life of a sudden 
cardiac arrest victim with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and with 
automated external defibrillators. Prompt delivery of CPR more than 
doubles the chance of survival, and using AEDs helps save lives because 
they can restore normal heart rhythm.
  The American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and the 
National Safety Council are all promoting training and awareness this 
week. But this lifesaving training must extend throughout the year.
  A bill we passed this week, the Josh Miller HEARTS Act, authorizes 
funding for schools to purchase AEDs and to train staff in CPR.
  For 30 years, I have responded to such emergencies in rural 
Pennsylvania, and with H.R. 1380, our rural schools will be prepared to 
handle cardiac emergencies.
  Please join me to celebrate National CPR and AED Awareness Week and 
learn to save a life.

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