HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 7TH THROUGH THE 14TH OF 2026, TO BE "CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

H7601

2026 -- H 7601
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LC003501
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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 2026, TO BE "CONGENITAL
HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Alzate, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Furtado,
McGaw, Stewart, Kazarian, Kennedy, and Ajello

Date Introduced:
February 10, 2026

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 one percent or about 40,000 babies born in the United States are
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born with a congenital heart defect and approximately 25 percent of these children will require at
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least one invasive surgery in their first year of life to survive; 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 2026, 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 a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Heart Association in Providence.
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