[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 3, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION: GO RED FOR WOMEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Mrs. Beatty) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the American 
Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign.
  The Go Red for Women campaign is a critical public awareness platform 
that the American Heart Association uses to help promote heart-healthy 
lifestyles. More than 627,000 women's lives have been saved from heart 
disease since the Go Red for Women campaign was created in 2004. We 
have made tremendous progress, Mr. Speaker, in the fight against 
cardiovascular disease, but we still have a long way to go.
  Heart disease is the number one killer of women and is more deadly 
than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease causes one in three 
women's death each year, killing approximately 1 woman every minute. 
Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing 
heart disease. Since 1984, more women than men have died from heart 
disease.
  Heart disease is, unfortunately, a silent killer. According to the 
American Heart Association, nearly half of all women are not aware that 
heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.
  For African American women, the risk of heart disease is especially 
great. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for African 
American women. Of African American women 20 years of age and older, 
46.9 percent have cardiovascular disease; yet only 43 percent of 
African American women know that heart disease is their greatest health 
risk. In fact, I did not realize that I was at risk for stroke.
  In 1999, I suffered a cerebral brain stem stroke. Because of my 
personal experience, I decided to be part of the solution. As this 
epidemic continues, I decided to not sit on the sidelines.
  In 2000, I was elected to serve on the National American Heart 
Association Board of Directors. I was the only nonphysician or 
nonmedical professional on the board at that time. As a board member, I 
served as a leader, guiding the American Heart Association's mission, 
cultural sensitivities, and national efforts.
  Here in Congress, my advocacy continues. As a member of the 
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, my colleagues and I work to 
raise awareness about the prevalence and severity of cardiovascular 
disease.
  Last Congress, I introduced two pieces of legislation that raise 
awareness for stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. One, the Return 
to Work Awareness Act, would assist survivors of stroke and other 
debilitating health occurrences in returning to work. Both pieces of 
legislation had the support of the American Heart Association and the 
National Stroke Association.
  I will reintroduce, Mr. Speaker, these important pieces of 
legislation this month during American Heart Month. I encourage all my 
colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, to join me as an original 
sponsor.
  Mr. Speaker, you will notice that many of our colleagues today will 
be wearing the red American Heart Association pin. By wearing this pin, 
we help raise the awareness of cardiovascular disease in women and 
provide an important reminder that it is never too early to take action 
to protect our health.
  This month, American Heart Month, let us recommit ourselves to 
improving heart-healthy lifestyles and to continue to fight against 
this deadly disease for ourselves and our families.
  Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize all the survivors of heart 
disease and those who are battling heart disease. I salute their family 
members and friends who are their source of love and encouragement to 
them as they fight this disease, as well as my friend, American Heart 
Association CEO Nancy Brown, and all the healthcare professionals and 
medical researchers who are working to find cures to improve 
treatments.
  Please join us. Sign onto my bill and support a healthy lifestyle.

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