LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 14, 2015, as A Day for Hearts: Congenital Heart Defect
Awareness Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14, 2015, as A Day for Hearts:
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day in the State of New York, in
conjunction with Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, February 7-14,
2015, an annual awareness effort that helps educate the public about
Congenital Heart Defects; and
WHEREAS, Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are those existing at birth;
about 36,000 children born have some kind of defect of the heart, and
about 1.8 million families in the United States are affected by CHD; and
WHEREAS, With familiarity of the disorder, more diagnoses are being
made of what was not long ago thought to be an extremely rare disorder
and not repairable; and
WHEREAS, CHD is among the most common birth defects, about nine out of
every 1,000 infants born each year have a defect of the heart, and is
the leading cause of defect-related deaths; and
WHEREAS, Many children born with CHDs continue to die due to the
severity of the defect, the heart defect not being detected in time, a
lack of donor hearts, or failure of the use of medical intervention; and
WHEREAS, CHD is being researched by numerous professionals, at least
35 defects are now recognized, in order to more accurately describe its
origin, physical signs and symptoms and surgical options; however, the
amount of funding for education, research, and support is small; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue so that early diagnosis and intervention
become a top priority, and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, State and national levels to support and protect our youth, our
most precious resource, as well as their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14, 2015, as A
Day for Hearts: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day in the State of
New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.