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Whereas, since the creation of the National Heart Institute,
the Congress changed the name of the Institute to the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and expanded
and clarified the Institute’s role in advancing human un-
derstanding or awareness of diseases of the heart and
blood vessels, diseases of the lungs, diseases of the blood,
the use of blood and blood products, the management of
blood resources, and sleep disorders through research, re-
search training, demonstration projects, and public edu-
cation activities;
Whereas June of 1998 marks the 50th anniversary of the
creation of the National Heart Institute which was estab-
lished to lead a national effort to prevent, diagnose, and
treat heart diseases;
Whereas research supported by the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute has led to the identification of risk
factors for coronary heart disease such as high choles-
terol level, high blood pressure, obesity, physical inac-
tivity, and cigarette smoking;
Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has
conducted and supported studies that resulted in lifesav-
ing procedures for heart disease patients, including open-
heart surgery, balloon angioplasty, heart transplants, and
insertion of pacemakers and other devices to improve
heart function;
Whereas patients with asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other lung
diseases are receiving better treatment with an improved
quality of life because of research supported by programs
of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute;
Whereas the work of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute has provided significant bases for progress in
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the treatment of inherited blood diseases such as sickle
cell anemia and hemophilia, and in gene therapy research
which suggests the possibility of cures for such diseases;
Whereas the work of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute has provided significant bases for advances in
molecular genetics, gene therapy, and other new tech-
nologies, which offer opportunity and promise of further
advances against such devastating diseases as coronary
heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease,
and cystic fibrosis;
Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s na-
tional education programs have significantly raised public
awareness about the dangers of elevated cholesterol levels
and high blood pressure, the importance of early response
to heart attack symptoms, and asthma prevention and
treatment;
Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s ef-
forts to promote research and education have contributed
to a dramatic decline over the past 50 years in death
rates from coronary heart disease and stroke;
Whereas researchers, professional societies, voluntary and
public health organizations, and patient groups have all
contributed to the National Heart Act’s goals of advanc-
ing research and increasing public awareness;
Whereas the Congress intends that the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute continue its contribution to
public awareness by disseminating its research findings
to health professionals and the public; and
Whereas the Congress intends that the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute continue to aggressively pur-
sue efforts to improve the health of the people of the
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United States by conducting and supporting research and
demonstration projects on the causes, diagnosis, treat-
ment, and prevention of diseases of the heart and blood
vessels, diseases of the lungs, and diseases of the blood
while also conducting or supporting research and dem-
onstration projects on the use of blood and blood prod-
ucts, the management of blood resources, and sleep dis-
orders: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) recognizes the historic significance of the
50th anniversary of the enactment of the National
Heart Act and the creation of the institute that be-
came the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Insti-
tute;
(2) recognizes heart, lung, and blood research-
ers, professional societies, voluntary and public
health organizations, and patient groups for their
active participation in the activities of, or promoted
by, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute,
and for their many, varied contributions toward the
achievement of the goals of the National Heart Act
and subsequent related Acts; and
(3) reaffirms its support of the National Heart
Act and subsequent related Acts and their primary
goal of establishing and implementing a national ef-
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fort to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases of the
heart and blood vessels, lungs, and blood.
Æ