[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 62 (Thursday, April 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING HOPEY'S DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2016

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to acknowledge Hopey's Day in 
New York City, which is on April 22, 2016. Hopey's Day was initiated by 
the Hopey's Heart Foundation, which works to raise awareness of sudden 
cardiac arrest, particularly among student athletes, and helps to place 
automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at schools and at community 
and recreational centers.
  The driving force behind Hopey's Day has been WNBA New York Liberty 
center Tina Charles, who founded the Hopey's Heart Foundation in honor 
of her late aunt, Maureen ``Hopey'' Vaz. As an athlete, Tina recognized 
that too many promising young athletes lose their lives to sudden 
cardiac arrest on basketball courts and sports fields before they can 
attain the same dreams she achieved. Under Tina's leadership, the 
Hopey's Heart Foundation has provided over 200 AEDs to schools around 
the U.S. and in other parts of the world.
  To mark Hopey's Day, the Hopey's Heart Foundation, along with Safe 
Kids Worldwide, will be holding sports safety clinics at New York City 
schools, including P.S. 127 in Queens and in P.S. 55 in the Bronx. 
These clinics will help kids, parents, and coaches understand how they 
can prevent risks encountered in sports, like sudden cardiac arrest, as 
well as teach about proper hydration and concussions. Notably, 
attendees will learn emergency response and how to use an AED.
  These clinics also mark the beginning of the Hopey's Heart Foundation 
Build UP NYC program to expand its work across New York City, and I 
look forward to seeing more schools have the opportunity to present 
these experiences to their students.
  I am so proud of the work that Hopey's Heart Foundation, Safe Kids 
NYC and Safe Kids Queens have done, as well as of the tremendous 
leadership shown by Tina Charles, a native of East Elmhurst, Queens, 
where one of the Hopey's Day clinics will take place. Tina has 
committed herself to giving back to her home community and elsewhere in 
so many ways.
  I thank the Hopey's Heart Foundation and Tina Charles for their 
commitment to protect the hearts of so many children playing sports.

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