SR0054

LRB095 09033 KXB 29224 r






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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Congenital Heart Defects are the most frequently 
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occurring birth defect and the leading cause of birth defect 
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related deaths worldwide; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Although each year 40,000 babies are born in the 
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United States with Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs), newborns 
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with potentially life-threatening conditions are not routinely 
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screened; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Nearly twice as many children die from congenital 
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heart defects as from all childhood cancers combined, yet 
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research for cancer receives five times the funding; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Many cases of sudden cardiac death in young 
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athletes are caused by undiagnosed CHDs and Childhood-Onset 
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Heart Disease; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Raising awareness about CHDs is important; it will 
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provide hope for families of CHD survivors and comfort to those 
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whose loved ones have lost their battles; it will inform the 
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general public about the symptoms of CHDs and possibly save 
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lives; and it will affirm the need for increased funding to 
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researchers and medical professionals so they can continue 
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their work to improve the outlook for CHD patients; and

 
 


 






SR0054
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LRB095 09033 KXB 29224 r




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    WHEREAS, The month of February has been designated as 
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Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare February of 
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each year to be Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month in the 
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State of Illinois, and we encourage all citizens to increase 
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awareness, education, and services for Congenital Heart 
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Defects which each year affect thousands of babies in Illinois; 
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and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Kathleen Mappa, Group Coordinator of Big Dreams 
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for Little Hearts in Chicago.