[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6998]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         AMERICAN STROKE MONTH

  (Mr. DOLD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as American 
Stroke Month.
  800,000 Americans suffer a stroke every year, with more than 300,000 
stroke survivors living in Illinois today. Stroke research and 
rehabilitation plays a critical role in helping these 300,000 survivors 
return to work and lead fulfilling lives.
  A strong congressional response to stroke is crucial for the hundreds 
of thousands of stroke victims, their families, and their friends each 
year.
  My friend and colleague Senator Mark Kirk overcame unbelievable 
adversity and returned to work representing Illinois in the United 
States Senate after suffering a life-threatening stroke. His 
perseverance has been a personal inspiration, and through his Battle 
Buddies group, he has become an inspiration to countless stroke 
survivors in Illinois and around the country.
  Senator Kirk's Battle Buddies group is raising awareness of the fact 
that nearly 80 percent of all strokes can be prevented through healthy 
lifestyle choices and maintaining low blood pressure. By simply 
recognizing the signs of stroke and taking action, people can save a 
life and greatly minimize long-term damage.
  This month, I ask all my colleagues to join me in raising awareness 
for this important issue and ensuring that stroke survivors have the 
absolute best quality of care possible.

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