[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 470]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2013

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Congenital Heart 
Defect Awareness Week, which is February 7th-14th.
  This week is dedicated to the millions of Americans who have been 
diagnosed with Congenital Heart Defects, the challenges their families 
face and for the families of those who have sadly lost loved ones to 
this condition. Congenital Heart Disease is considered to be the most 
common birth defect and is also the leading cause of birth defect 
related deaths worldwide.
  Each year approximately forty thousand babies are born in the United 
States with Congenital Heart Defects and some remain undiagnosed for 
months or even years after birth. This dangerous condition, if left 
undiagnosed, can cause sudden cardiac death especially in young 
adolescent athletes.
  Unfortunately, despite these statistics, newborns and young athletes 
are not routinely screened for Congenital Heart Defects and funding for 
research regarding the condition is limited.
  Mr. Speaker, Congenital Heart Defects affect millions of Americans 
and I rise to recognize those affected by this condition and to help 
bring awareness to this important cause.

                          ____________________