| R 072 |
| 2024 -- H 7414 Enacted 02/01/2024 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 7TH THROUGH THE 14TH OF 2024, TO BE "CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Batista, Shanley, Diaz, Slater, Giraldo, and Hull |
| Date Introduced: February 01, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, The health and well-being of all children throughout our State are of |
| paramount importance to Rhode Island's families and communities; and |
| WHEREAS, Each year approximately 40,000 babies are born in the United States with a |
| congenital heart defect, beginning their lives with one of more than forty identified forms of |
| congenital heart defects; and |
| WHEREAS, Nearly 1 of every 110 babies born in the United States are born with a |
| congenital heart defect and approximately 25 percent of these children will require at least one |
| invasive surgery in their first year of life to survive; and |
| WHEREAS, Common heart defects include, septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus |
| (PDA), coarctation of the aorta, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries and |
| hypoplastic left heart syndrome as well as many others; and |
| WHEREAS, Congenital heart defects are among our state's most common birth defects |
| and they are often fatal due to their seriousness, a lack of effective medical intervention options, |
| and the limited availability of infant donor hearts; and |
| WHEREAS, The origins and symptoms of congenital heart defects are becoming more |
| readily identifiable and the range of surgical options are expanding continuously thanks to |
| doctors' and scientists' diligent research efforts and field experiences that extend our body of |
| knowledge every day; and |
| WHEREAS, There is much to learn about the causes of and effective treatments for |
| congenital heart defects, and it is important for parents, pediatricians, and nurses to recognize the |
| warning signs associated with congenital heart defects among newborns so they may provide |
| proper treatment as early as possible; and |
| WHEREAS, Many of Rhode Island's families and communities are directly or indirectly |
| affected by infant illness and death caused by congenital heart defects; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| proclaims February 7th through the 14th of 2024, to be "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness |
| Week" in our State. We furthermore urge all the citizens of the State to join us in the observance |
| of this event and to recognize and applaud the efforts of doctors and scientists everywhere who |
| work diligently to solve life's medical mysteries and to improve the quality of life for us all; and |
| be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Norelys Consuegra, and the American Heart |
| Association in Providence. |
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| LC004402 |
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