SR-142, As Adopted by Senate, February 10, 2016

            Senator Hertel offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 142.

            A resolution to commemorate February 7-14, 2016, as Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week and February 12, 2016, as Ruby Jane Day.

Whereas, Congenital heart disease is the No. 1 birth defect; and

Whereas, Nearly 1 in 100 newborns are born with congenital heart disease; and

Whereas, 40,000 infants are born in the United States each year with congenital heart disease; and

Whereas, There is an estimated 2-3 million people living with congenital heart disease (CHD); and

Whereas, 25 percent of children born with CHD need heart surgery or other interventions to survive; and

Whereas, 15 percent of babies born with CHD will not see their 18th birthday; and

Whereas, In 2009, direct hospital costs alone for children and adults with CHD was over $2 billion; and

Whereas, Those affected with CHD have 3-4 times higher rates of ER visits than the general population; and

Whereas, Fewer than 10 percent of adults with CHD are receiving recommended care; and

Whereas, There is no cure for CHD; and

Whereas, Thanks to advances in medical research, however, more and more children are surviving; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby commemorate February 7-14, 2016, as Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week  and February 12, 2016, as Ruby Jane Day in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge all citizens to show their support and help raise awareness in the fight against congenital heart disease by commemorating this day by wearing the color purple. By increasing awareness and speaking up about CHD, we can save thousands of babies every year.