R 109

2020 -- H 7522 Enacted 02/11/2020

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 7TH THROUGH THE 14TH OF 2020, TO BE "CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Shekarchi, Ackerman, Casimiro, and Fellela

Date Introduced: February 11, 2020

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 in 100 babies born in the United States are born with a congenital

heart defect and more than 50 percent of these children will require at least one invasive surgery

in their lifetime; 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 and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the week of February 7th through the 14th of 2020, 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 a duly certified copy of this resolution to Norelys Consuegra.

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LC003990

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