[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST

  (Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, as parents, we only want the 
best for our kids. That is why I speak before you today as not just a 
Member of Congress but as a mom who is terrified about sudden cardiac 
arrest and its impact on our young people.
  Together, we have the ability to protect our kids before it strikes. 
The odds of surviving cardiac arrest remain low when occurring outside 
of a hospital setting such as in the classroom or the soccer field.
  I can't even imagine what it would feel like to get that call about 
my children. Here is where AEDs come into play in saving lives in a 
moment of crisis.
  I am proud to announce that I have introduced the Access to AEDs Act, 
my bipartisan legislation that will reduce deaths from sudden cardiac 
arrest.
  My legislation would establish a grant program for schools that they 
can use to buy and maintain lifesaving AEDs, develop cardiac emergency 
response plans, and provide crucial CPR and AED training.
  Our children's well-being is not up for political debate. All 
children's lives are put on the line when sudden cardiac arrest hits.
  We have a responsibility as Members of Congress, as parents, and as 
American citizens to ensure that every child has a chance to survive 
sudden cardiac arrest.

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