[Pages H1267-H1269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

{time} 1415
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF AMERICAN HEART MONTH AND NATIONAL
WEAR RED DAY

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 112) 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. 112

Whereas heart disease affects adult men and women of every
age and race in the United States;
Whereas heart disease continues to be the leading cause of
death in the United States;
Whereas an estimated 80,000,000 adult Americans, nearly one
in every 3, have one or more types of heart disease,
including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease,
congestive heart failure, stroke, and congenital heart
defects;
Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have
identified major and contributing factors that increase the
risk of heart disease;
Whereas these studies have identified the following as
major risk factors that cannot be changed: Age (the risk of
developing heart disease gradually increases as people age;
advanced age significantly increases the risk), gender (men
have greater risk of developing heart disease than women),
and heredity (children of parents with heart disease are more
likely to develop it themselves; African-Americans have more
severe high blood pressure than Caucasians and therefore are
at higher risk; the risk is also higher among Latina
Americans, some Asian-Americans, and Native Americans and
other indigenous populations);
Whereas these studies have identified the following as
major risk factors that Americans can modify, treat, or
control by changing their lifestyle or seeking appropriate
medical treatment: High blood pressure, high blood
cholesterol, smoking tobacco products and exposure to tobacco
smoke, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes mellitus;
Whereas these studies have identified the following as
contributing risk factors that Americans can also take action
to modify, treat or control by changing their lifestyle or
seeking appropriate medical treatment: Individual response to
stress, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, use of
certain illegal drugs, and hormone replacement therapy;
Whereas more than 106,000,000 adult Americans have high
blood pressure;
Whereas more than 37,000,000 Americans have cholesterol
levels of 240 mg/dL or higher, the level at which it becomes
a major risk factor;
Whereas an estimated 43,000,000 Americans put themselves at
risk for heart disease every day by smoking cigarettes;
Whereas data released by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention shows that more than 65 percent of American
adults do not get enough physical activity, and more than 39
percent are not physically active at all;
Whereas 66 percent of adult Americans are overweight or
obese;
Whereas 24 million adult Americans have diabetes and 65
percent of those so afflicted will die of some form of heart
disease;
Whereas the American Heart Association projects that in
2009 1,200,000 Americans will have a first or recurrent heart
attack and 452,000 of these people will die as a result;
Whereas in 2009 approximately 800,000 Americans will suffer
a new or recurrent stroke and 160,000 of these people will
die as a result;
Whereas advances in medical research have significantly
improved our capacity to fight heart disease by providing
greater knowledge about its causes, innovative diagnostic
tools to detect the disease, and new and improved treatments
that help people survive and recover from this disease;
Whereas Congress by Joint Resolution approved on December
30, 1963 (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 101), has 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 February as ``American
Heart Month'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the
goals and ideals of American Heart Month and National Wear
Red Day.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.

General Leave

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may
consume.
On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,

[[Page H1268]]

under the leadership of our new chairman, the Honorable Edolphus Towns
of New York, I am pleased to stand in support of House Resolution 112,
which expresses support for the goals and ideals of both the American
Heart Month and for National Wear Red Day.
The measure now before us was authored by Representative Chris Lee of
New York, and it enjoys the cosponsorship of nearly 60 Members of
Congress. On Wednesday, February 11, the House Oversight Committee took
up House Resolution 112 and reported the bill favorably, which brings
us to today's consideration of this thoughtful, commemorative
resolution.
Madam Speaker, House Resolution 112 is designed to support the goals
of American Heart Month, which is annually commemorated during the
month of February as a way of highlighting the devastating impact of
cardiovascular disease on our Nation. In fact, heart disease, including
stroke, serves as the number one killer of Americans. Since 1963, the
American Heart Association and Congress have worked collectively to
draw our attention to the causes and effects of heart disease, and I am
happy to be joining the gentleman from New York today as we continue to
emphasize the need for greater research and awareness of heart disease
through House Resolution 112.
In addition to American Heart Month, House Resolution 112 also
expresses support for National Wear Red Day, which this year was held
on Friday, February 6. National Wear Red Day is designed to support the
fight against heart disease in women by encouraging Americans to wear
red at their workplaces, in places of worship, out in their communities
or at home. While a simple concept in theory, in practice, National
Wear Red Day is a powerful way of raising awareness among our
population of heart disease and stroke among women.
Madam Speaker, given the worthy causes prompted by the American Heart
Month and by National Wear Red Day, I stand in full support of House
Resolution 112, and I urge my colleagues to do the same by voting in
support of the resolution.
I now reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today in support of this resolution, urging the support of the
American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day.
In 1963, Congress required the President to proclaim February as
American Heart Month in an effort to bring awareness and to urge
Americans to join the battle against today's number one killer, heart
disease.
Heart disease has and remains the leading cause of death in the
United States of America. Its tragic grip encompasses men, women and
children of every age and race in every State in our Nation.
Approximately one in three adult Americans have one or more types of
heart disease, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease,
congestive heart failure, stroke, and congenital heart disease.
There are currently 106 million Americans diagnosed with high blood
pressure. A staggering 66 percent of adult Americans are overweight or
are obese, and 43 million Americans are at risk for heart disease
because of smoking. All of these lifestyles, among many others, have a
direct impact on heart disease, therefore, making it imperative that we
should sound the alarm and should remain supportive of heart disease
awareness programs. By exercising regularly, by avoiding tobacco, by
limiting the consumption of alcohol, by following a nutritious diet and
by monitoring high cholesterol and high blood pressure, we can all work
to decrease the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
Although heart disease does not care what you wear, which is a slogan
used by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute as part of
American Heart Month, February 6 is National Wear Red Day, a day when
people across the United States wear red to show their support for
women's heart disease awareness.
Studies show that women tend to receive delayed emergency heart care
compared to men because their symptoms are less recognized; although,
women account for more than half of the total heart disease deaths.
There are currently a number of initiatives that are underway to raise
awareness of the dangers of cardiovascular disease in women. However,
the challenging work of promoting awareness continues as cardiovascular
disease increases in the country.
While encouraging all citizens to take advantage of regular
screenings and to consult their doctors about reducing the risks for
heart disease, I am proud to do my part through the support of this
resolution. It is also important that we support organizations such as
the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health and
many other organizations that celebrate National Wear Red Day. American
Heart Month in February is an effort to educate the public, to promote
awareness and to fund the research of this serious disease.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume
to my distinguished colleague from the State of New York, Mr. Lee.
Mr. LEE of New York. Madam Speaker, as we all know, the United States
has marked American Heart Month every February for the last 45 years.
I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Towns, and the ranking member, Mr.
Issa, for their cooperation in getting this resolution to the floor so
quickly. I also want to thank our nearly 60 cosponsors from both sides
of the aisle.
Two years ago, I lost my father-in-law to heart disease. Ironically,
three nights ago, a very close friend of mine--49 years old, in the
best shape of his life--had a stroke. So it tells you this can strike
at any time and anywhere to anyone.
Heart disease and stroke affect more people in western New York than
anywhere else in the country. Here are some other facts: The rate of
stroke death in western New York is 23 percent higher than the national
rate and is 79 percent higher than the aggregate New York State rate.
Heart disease kills ten times as many women in western New York as
breast cancer and six times as many women as lung cancer. Of course,
heart disease remains the number one cause of death for both women and
men throughout the United States.
The one fact that troubles me greatly is that only 58 percent of
western New York residents report visiting doctors on a routine basis
or having their blood pressure and cholesterol checked. That number is
just simply too low.
The one thing we can do is raise public awareness for both heart
disease and stroke without spending a dime. We just need to talk to
family and friends about the warning signs of these silent killers and
what preventative steps we can take to ensure it does not happen. The
simple act of going to a doctor or even visiting the American Heart Web
site may be all it takes to save a life.
I also want to point out that this resolution also recognizes the
importance of National Wear Red Day. Last Friday, companies,
organizations and cities across America, including Rochester and
Buffalo, New York, showed their support for women's heart disease
awareness by wearing red.
I am also entering into the Record a letter from the American Heart
Association in support of this resolution and the goals and ideals of
American Heart Month.
I hope that, in addition to the passage of this resolution, my
colleagues will join me in talking to constituents so as to raise
awareness of these deadly diseases.

American Heart Association,

Washington, DC, February 12, 2009.
Hon. Chris Lee,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Lee: On behalf of the American Heart
Association and our more than 22 million volunteers and
supporters nationwide, thank you for your leadership in
introducing your Congressional resolution (H. Res. 112)
supporting the goals and ideals of American Heart Month and
National Wear Red Day. The Association is pleased to support
this resolution.
As you know, heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular
diseases remain the No. 1 killer and a major cause of
permanent disability in the United States. And although one
in three American adults suffer from some form of
cardiovascular disease, too many people still don't know the
risk factors, warning signs, or steps they can take to reduce
their risk.

[[Page H1269]]

Each year in February, we recognize American Heart Month as
a way of reaffirming our national commitment to fighting
heart disease and raising awareness among Americans about the
need to know their risk for heart disease and to take action
to reduce that risk. Likewise, we recognize the first Friday
of each February as National Wear Red Day to raise awareness
among women and their healthcare providers about heart
disease as the leading killer of women.
We applaud your efforts to help educate your constituents
and Americans nationwide about heart disease, its risk
factors and warning signs. You're making a real difference in
people's lives.
Thanks again for introducing this resolution. Please don't
hesitate to call on the American Heart Association and our
American Stroke Association division again in the future if
we can be of assistance to you on health policy issues or
concerns.
Sincerely,
Sue A. Nelson,
Vice President, Federal Advocacy.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the
passage of H. Res. 112. I congratulate my colleague, Mr. Lee, for his
important work on this resolution.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, again, I join my colleagues across the
aisle in supporting the underlying resolution (H. Res. 112), and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 112.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
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.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

____________________