[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RAISING AWARENESS OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 7, 2012

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to raise public knowledge of 
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, which is February 7-14, 2012. 
This week encourages all citizens to increase their awareness, 
education, and services for Congenital Heart Defects, which each year 
affect thousands of babies in the State of Texas.
  Congenital Heart Defects are the most frequently occurring birth 
defects and the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths worldwide. 
Over a million families across America are facing the challenges and 
hardships of raising children with Congenital Heart Defects. Every 
year, 40,000 babies are born in the United States with Congenital Heart 
Defects.
  Some Congenital Heart Defects are not diagnosed until months or years 
after birth, and undiagnosed Congenital Heart conditions cause many 
cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Despite these 
statistics, newborns and young athletes are not routinely screened for 
Congenital Heart Defects, and research on these heart conditions has 
only recently begun catching up to the problem--but more must be done.
  Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week provides an opportunity for 
families whose lives have been affected to celebrate life and to 
remember loved ones lost, to honor dedicated health professionals, and 
to meet others and know they are not alone. Congenital Heart Defect 
Awareness Week also provides the opportunity to share experience and 
information with the public and the media, in order to raise public 
awareness about Congenital Heart Defects. I ask all of my colleagues to 
join me in honoring February 7-14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness 
Week.

                          ____________________