[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL SEPSIS DAY
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, finally, on sepsis, I want to say a few
words on a health issue that rarely gets the attention it deserves here
on the Senate floor, and that is the issue of sepsis. Every year,
roughly 1.7 million Americans are infected with sepsis. That is a
population roughly the size of Phoenix, AZ. Of those, 270,000--
270,000--are ultimately killed by the disease.
For those unfamiliar, sepsis is a terrible, life-threatening
condition where the body overreacts to an infection in an extreme way.
Most cases are preventable, if they are caught with enough time. Sadly,
because of a lack of public awareness, too many cases fly under the
radar until it is too late.
So today, I am here to introduce a resolution designating September
13 as National Sepsis Day. It would encourage greater public education
about this condition, urge Federal entities to streamline treatment
guidelines, and marshal our resources to ultimately bring sepsis to an
end.
The Federal Government has a great model to follow in my home State
of New York, which adopted Rory's Regulations to guide health officials
when it comes to this illness named in honor of Rory Staunton, a 12-
year-old from Queens who died from sepsis 10 years ago. These rules
have undoubtedly saved countless lives and should inform Federal
policy.
I cannot imagine the profound suffering that Rory's parents must feel
to this day, but I hope they find strength in knowing that the rules
bearing their son's name have gone a long way to help others.
It is time we take this disease seriously at the Federal level. For
that reason, I am proud to introduce this resolution today.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
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