2023 -- H 5409

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LC001177

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 7TH THROUGH THE 14TH OF 2023, TO BE "CONGENITAL

HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Batista, Craven,
Fogarty, Felix, Ackerman, Diaz, and Giraldo

     Date Introduced: February 07, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, The health and well-being of all children throughout our State are of

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paramount importance to Rhode Island's families and communities; and

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     WHEREAS, Each year approximately 40,000 babies are born in the United States with a

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congenital heart defect, beginning their lives with one of more than forty identified forms of

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congenital heart defects; and

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     WHEREAS, Nearly 20 out of 10,000 babies born in the United States are born with a

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

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invasive surgery in their lifetime; and

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     WHEREAS, Common heart defects include, septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus

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(PDA), coarctation of the aorta, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries and

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hypoplastic left heart syndrome as well as many others; and

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     WHEREAS, Congenital heart defects are among our state's most common birth defects

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and they are often fatal due to their seriousness, a lack of effective medical intervention options,

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and the limited availability of infant donor hearts; and

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     WHEREAS, The origins and symptoms of congenital heart defects are becoming more

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readily identifiable and the range of surgical options are expanding continuously thanks to

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doctors' and scientists' diligent research efforts and field experiences that extend our body of

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knowledge every day; and

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     WHEREAS, There is much to learn about the causes of and effective treatments for

 

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congenital heart defects, and it is important for parents, pediatricians, and nurses to recognize the

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warning signs associated with congenital heart defects among newborns so they may provide

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proper treatment as early as possible; and

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     WHEREAS, Many of Rhode Island's families and communities are directly or indirectly

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affected by infant illness and death caused by congenital heart defects; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

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proclaims February 7th through the 14th of 2023, to be "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness

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Week" in our State. We furthermore urge all the citizens of the State to join us in the observance

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of this event and to recognize and applaud the efforts of doctors and scientists everywhere who

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work diligently to solve life's medical mysteries and to improve the quality of life for us all; and

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be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Norelys Consuegra, and the American Heart

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Association in Providence.

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LC001177

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