    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [February 11, 2008]
    [Pages 172-173]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Heart Truth Reception
    February 11, 2008

        Thank you all. Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are glad you're here, and thanks for coming. I
    welcome members of my Cabinet. I particularly want to thank all the
    healers and compassionate folks who help with heart disease. The Vice
    President sends his best. [Laughter]
        All of us here are committed to America's heart health. I don't know
    if our fellow

    [[Page 173]]

    citizens know this, but this is American Heart Month. And it's a good
    time to remember that an estimated 80 million people across the United
    States suffer from heart disease. The disease is the number-one killer
    of American men and women. Many women, however, do not even know they're
    at risk, and so they don't take simple steps that can protect their
    health.
        And that's where the Heart Truth Campaign comes in. Over the last 5
    years, I appreciate the fact that you all have spread the word, and you
    represent thousands across our country who are doing so as well. You've
    helped women reduce the factors for heart disease, and that's a noble
    calling, an important contribution to our country. Every February, you
    encourage women to wear the red dress, which I appreciate. And I do want
    to thank the fashion industry for stepping up and--[applause].
        And the results are measurable. Women's awareness has been raised;
    women's lives have been saved. Earlier this month, I was in Kansas City,
    and I met a woman named Joyce Cullen. In 2003,
    Joyce saw coverage of Laura's visit to a Kansas
    City hospital. She just talked about the symptoms that--of heart disease
    in women. It was just a simple explanation of what people should be
    aware of. She woke up with those symptoms shortly after Laura's visit.
    She went to the hospital. Her life was saved, and she's now a part of
    Heart Truth. And that's the effort in which you're involved, simple acts
    that are spreading across the country and saving lives.
        My job today is not only to welcome you and to thank you but to
    introduce the Heart Truth's national ambassador.
    Laura is committed to the Heart Truth Campaign. She's a great First
    Lady, and she's always dear to my heart--the First Lady.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:40 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also
    included the remarks of the First Lady. The related American Heart Month
    proclamation of February 1 is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.