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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 451 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 451

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to 
  childhood stroke and designating an appropriate date as ``National 
                   Childhood Stroke Awareness Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 18, 2009

 Mr. Boozman submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to 
  childhood stroke and designating an appropriate date as ``National 
                   Childhood Stroke Awareness Day''.

Whereas a stroke, also known as a ``cerebrovascular accident'', is an acute 
        neurologic injury that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the 
        brain is interrupted by a clot in the artery or a burst of the artery;
Whereas a stroke is a medical emergency that can cause permanent neurologic 
        damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated;
Whereas 26 out of every 100,000 newborns and almost 3 out of every 100,000 
        children have a stroke each year;
Whereas an individual can have a stroke before birth;
Whereas stroke is among the top 10 causes of death for children in the United 
        States;
Whereas 12 percent of all children who experience a stroke die as a result;
Whereas stroke recurs in 20 percent of children who have experienced a prior 
        stroke;
Whereas the death rate for children who experience a stroke before the age of 1 
        year is the highest out of all age groups;
Whereas the average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of stroke is 24 
        hours, putting many affected children outside the window of 3 hours for 
        the most successful treatment;
Whereas many children who experience a stroke will suffer serious, long-term 
        neurological disabilities, including--

    (1) hemiplegia, which is paralysis of 1 side of the body;

    (2) seizures;

    (3) speech and vision problems; and

    (4) learning difficulties;

Whereas those disabilities may require ongoing physical therapy and surgeries;
Whereas the permanent health concerns and treatments resulting from strokes that 
        occur during childhood and young adulthood have a considerable impact on 
        children, families, and society;
Whereas very little is known about the cause, treatment, and prevention of 
        childhood stroke;
Whereas medical research is the only means by which the citizens of the United 
        States can identify and develop effective treatment and prevention 
        strategies for childhood stroke;
Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of childhood stroke greatly improves the 
        chances that the affected child will recover and not experience a 
        recurrence; and
Whereas The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia should be commended for its 
        initiative in creating the Nation's first program dedicated to pediatric 
        stroke patients: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of an appropriate date as 
        ``National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day''; and
            (2) urges the people of the United States to support the 
        efforts, programs, services, and advocacy of organizations that 
        work to enhance public awareness of childhood stroke.
                                 <all>
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