H.R. No. 1996
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The observance of CPR-AED Awareness Week from June 1
to June 7, 2009, provides a fitting opportunity for residents of the
Lone Star State to learn about the life-saving benefits of
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external
defibrillators; and
WHEREAS, A public awareness and training campaign sponsored
by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and the
National Safety Council, CPR-AED Week seeks to educate the public
about the dangers of heart disease and the effectiveness of
administering CPR and using an AED in critical situations; and
WHEREAS, Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the
United States, affecting citizens of every race and age, and it is
the most common reason for a cardiac arrest to result in a fatality;
cardiac arrest is the sudden and abrupt loss of heart function, and
approximately 295,000 instances of it occur outside of a hospital
each year; in these cases, only 30 percent of the victims receive
bystander-administered CPR, and more than 90 percent of the
individuals involved die before being discharged from a hospital;
the treatment for cardiac arrest is an electric shock to the heart,
which restores a normal heartbeat, but it must be performed within
minutes in order to be successful; and
WHEREAS, When CPR is delivered promptly, a victim's chance of
survival doubles, and for every minute without it, the likelihood
decreases by 7-10 percent; since the time period between the 9-1-1
telephone call and the arrival of Emergency Medical Services
personnel is usually longer than five minutes, it is crucial for
witnesses of cardiac emergencies to assist victims as soon as
possible; if a bystander administers CPR, the process helps
maintain blood flow to the heart and brain, and thereby increases
the amount of time in which an electric shock from a defibrillator
may be effective; similarly, if a bystander uses an AED, which is
safe and easy to operate, immediately after the onset of symptoms,
it is highly likely that the device will cause the heart to resume a
normal rhythm and that ventricular fibrillation will cease; and
WHEREAS, CPR-AED Awareness Week promotes greater
understanding of heart disease and cardiac arrest within our
communities, and it is contributing to the health and well-being of
people throughout Texas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize June 1 to June 7, 2009, as CPR-AED
Awareness Week in Texas and encourage all citizens to seek training
in CPR and AED usage.
McReynolds
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1996 was adopted by the House on May
13, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House