[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2129-2130]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF AMERICAN HEART MONTH AND NATIONAL 
                              WEAR RED DAY

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 972) supporting the goals and ideals of American 
Heart Month and National Wear Red Day.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 972

       Whereas diseases of the heart are the Nation's leading 
     cause of death and stroke is the third leading cause of death 
     in both men and women;
       Whereas nearly 2,400 American men, women, and children die 
     of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death 
     every 37 seconds;
       Whereas many people do not recognize that heart disease, 
     stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the number 1 
     killer of American women, claiming the lives of almost 
     460,000 American women each year or about one per minute;
       Whereas we as a Nation have made great progress in reducing 
     the death rates for coronary heart disease, but this progress 
     has been much more modest in women and minorities, resulting 
     in cardiovascular disease disparities;
       Whereas many minority women, including African-American, 
     Hispanic, Native-American and some subgroups of Asian-
     American women, have a greater prevalence of risk factors or 
     are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke, and 
     other cardiovascular diseases, but they are less likely to 
     know of this risk;
       Whereas cardiovascular diseases cost the Nation more than 
     any other cause of death, with direct and indirect costs 
     estimated to reach $448.5 billion in the United States in 
     2008;
       Whereas the research is clear that there are tools 
     available to prevent heart disease, stroke, and other 
     cardiovascular diseases and to improve survival rates from 
     cardiovascular disease;
       Whereas Congress, by Joint Resolution approved on December 
     30, 1963, requested that the President issue an annual 
     proclamation designating February as ``American Heart 
     Month'';
       Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of 
     the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart 
     Association, and many other organizations celebrate 
     ``National Wear Red Day'' during February by ``going red'' to 
     increase awareness about heart disease as the leading killer 
     of women; and
       Whereas every year since 1964 the President has issued a 
     proclamation designating the month of February as ``American 
     Heart Month'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``American Heart 
     Month'' and ``National Wear Red Day'';
       (2) commends the efforts of States, territories and 
     possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit 
     organizations, businesses, and other entities, and the people 
     of the United States who support ``American Heart Month'' and 
     ``National Wear Red Day'';
       (3) recognizes and reaffirms our commitment to fighting 
     heart disease and stroke by promoting awareness about its 
     causes, risks, and prevention, supporting research, and 
     expanding access to medical treatment; and
       (4) encourages each and every American to learn about their 
     own personal risk for heart disease.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Capps) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. 
Myrick) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H. Res. 972 which I 
am proud to have introduced with Congresswomen Fallin, Schakowsky, 
McMorris Rodgers, Christensen, and Cubin. This diverse group of lead 
sponsors is testament to the importance of raising greater awareness 
about heart disease, and especially heart disease in women.
  The resolution recognizes both Heart Month and National Wear Red Day, 
both of which occur in February. Heart Month was first designated 45 
years ago and has served as a launching pad to spur advocates into 
action around the country.
  In my hometown of Santa Barbara, there will be a Go Red for Women 
luncheon in the coming weeks. This event provides opportunities for 
women to learn more about heart health for themselves and also for the 
role they often play as the health decisionmaker in their families.
  The importance of community events like Go Red for Women lunches 
cannot be overstated. Heart disease is the number one killer of both 
women and men. But now, in fact, more women than men die of heart 
disease each year. Unfortunately, there is still an existing knowledge 
gap both in terms of public awareness and professional awareness.
  Despite the fact that almost 460,000 American women die of heart 
disease every year, women are still grossly underrepresented in 
clinical trials, as one example. The numbers are even worse for 
minority women who are at an even greater risk for developing heart 
disease and who have many more barriers to accessing care.
  So today, as we pass this resolution to recognize the importance of 
Heart Month and Wear Red Day, let us use this opportunity to discuss 
the real changes we can make to improve women's heart health.
  My colleague, Barbara Cubin, and I have introduced H.R. 1014 the 
HEART for Women Act. This act takes crucial steps to address women's 
heart health. It ensures that research is stratified by gender. In 
other words, that we recognize that women need to have research that 
will take their needs into consideration, provides for an educational 
campaign for health professionals, and expands the very successful 
WISEWOMAN program that conducts cardiovascular screening for low-income 
women that has been, in the pilot phase, proven very successful in 
various parts of the country.
  We had a successful hearing in the Health Subcommittee, and I would 
like to thank the Energy and Commerce Committee for working hard to 
move this legislation along in, I hope, the very near future.
  Finally, I would like to thank the Speaker for suggesting that we 
encourage everyone to wear red tomorrow in order that we be even more 
visible to all of our colleagues and others on the Hill to continue 
this very important dialogue.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady, my friend from 
California, for all of the hard work she has put into this issue for 
the last several years, not just this year. It has been a real passion 
with her for a long time, and I thank her for that.
  I rise in support of this important resolution because it does raise 
awareness about heart disease and the effect on women, which doesn't 
get talked about as much as heart disease in men.
  As a breast cancer survivor, I spend a lot of time raising awareness 
about breast cancer and the importance of preventive screening and 
effective treatments. Those are vital battles, and as a country we have 
made great strides towards earlier detection of cancer and less 
invasive treatments.
  But when we are reminded that heart disease is the leading cause of 
death for American women, it is a sobering thought. I remember being 
surprised to learn that the physical symptoms of heart attacks in women 
are often different than they are in men. Women are less likely to feel 
typical chest pains during the attacks. Women's symptoms are often 
characterized by back pain, nausea, indigestion, dizziness, and 
fatigue. While typical symptoms are hard to recognize, it is important 
to be vigilant about heart health.
  Many lifesaving treatments like anticlotting drugs and angioplasty 
work best if given within the first hour of a heart attack, so it is 
important

[[Page 2130]]

that we know what is going on with us as women. But before you get to 
that point, you want to prevent life-threatening heart attacks the easy 
way, through lifestyle changes that can keep heart disease in check.
  The NIH and the FDA have helpful guidelines about steps that all 
American women and men can take to improve heart health. Some tips are 
as easy as talking to your doctor about it, and some are as easy as 
taking a daily stroll.
  I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this resolution, and I hope 
women all across the country will take some time to do something good 
for themselves relative to their heart, and to wear red.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield so much time as she 
may consume to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, we are all joining together to sponsor 
this resolution. Before I speak, I want to commend both the gentlelady 
from California and the gentlelady from North Carolina for the 
exceptional work that they have done on this issue.
  We all are on the Health Subcommittee. They have worked diligently on 
this and have continued in their efforts to raise awareness on heart 
health for women. The resolution is timely. It is something that we 
hope tomorrow is going to share the limelight a bit with Valentine's 
Day as we raise awareness on the importance of heart health for women.
  It is also something that is important as an educational tool as we 
each individually, and then all working together, continue our outreach 
efforts to make certain that women are aware of the signs of the 
disease, they are aware of the precautions, and they are then properly 
informed of the steps that they need to take.
  Again, I commend my colleagues for their diligence and work. I 
appreciate the opportunity to sponsor the legislation with them.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.
  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma 
(Ms. Fallin), who is a cosponsor of this resolution, such time as she 
may consume.
  Ms. FALLIN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate both of my fine colleagues here 
and their sponsorship of this great resolution to honor women and, of 
course, the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Month. It is a 
very important resolution, and I thank the gentlewoman from California 
for her leadership in the Women's Caucus, especially in highlighting 
women's health.
  I, too, am very proud to be a sponsor of this legislation. As you 
know, February is American Heart Month, and now is a great time for all 
of our Members of Congress, and concerned citizens in our Nation, to 
focus on how we can live healthier lifestyles, to educate ourselves on 
what we can do to prevent heart disease and to prevent stroke, and to 
live the kind of quality of life that we all deserve.
  I think it has already been mentioned that heart disease is the 
number one killer in the United States, and it certainly is a huge 
problem in the State of Oklahoma. Heart disease afflicts more than one 
in four Americans, and nearly 80 million in total in our Nation. And 
for many, it is a deadly disease. Heart disease also kills about two 
Americans per minute.
  And contrary to popular opinion, heart disease is every bit as 
dangerous for women as it is for men. In the last two decades, more 
women than men have died from it. In my home State alone, almost 20 
women a day die from heart-related illnesses.
  Tomorrow, millions of men and women are participating in National Go 
Red Day. I know I have on black today, and I think all the other ladies 
have on black, but tomorrow we will be wearing our red. I encourage all 
of our colleagues here in Congress to wear their red, as well as those 
around the Nation.
  As we wear red tomorrow, we will remind those around us of the 
importance of fighting this disease. And we can fight this disease by 
starting just to take some simple precautions: exercising, maintaining 
healthy eating styles, and refraining of course from habits that are 
harmful to our health like smoking.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues and all Americans to wear red 
tomorrow, and to remember the millions of people who suffer with heart 
disease and to think about what we can do to fight this terrible 
illness.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend our colleagues who have 
spoken to this important topic, and particularly my good friend and 
colleague from North Carolina, Mrs. Myrick, who is symbolizing in her 
attire what we will all be doing tomorrow, which is not only 
Valentine's Day but Wear Red Day during Heart Month, to underscore the 
need for all of us to pay attention to women and heart disease in this 
month of February.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 972, 
Supporting the Goals and Ideals of American Heart Month and National 
Wear Red Day. February is American Heart month, and today, I join women 
across the country by wearing red to increase the awareness of heart 
disease as the leading killer among women and men.
  Minorities are disproportionately affected by cardiac disease. In a 
diverse State like Hawaii, this is an especially important issue. As a 
Congresswoman, I support funding for medical research and improved 
treatment. And I will continue to advocate for affordable, accessible 
health care for all.
  However, fighting heart disease is not only a public policy issue. 
Americans can help prevent and reduce heart disease and decrease the 
deaths it causes through education and lifestyle changes. Adults should 
learn the signs of heart attack and stroke, because quick recognition 
will increase the chance of survival. And we should all make a point to 
live healthier. Eating better, exercising more, and refraining from 
smoking are common sense lifestyle choices that could save our lives. I 
know how hard it is to make time to eat right and get to the gym--but 
it is worth it. As we celebrate Valentine's Day and affairs of the 
heart, let us commit ourselves to making that effort for improved heart 
health.
  Mrs. MYRICK. I have no further speakers, and I also I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 972.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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