Proclaiming February 7th Through the 14th of 2026, to Be "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, The health and well-being of all children throughout our State are of paramount importance to Rhode Island's families and communities; and

WHEREAS, Each year approximately 40,000 babies are born in the United States with a congenital heart defect, beginning their lives with one of more than forty identified forms of congenital heart defects; and

WHEREAS, Nearly one percent or about 40,000 babies born in the United States are born with a congenital heart defect and approximately 25 percent of these children will require at least one invasive surgery in their first year of life to survive; and

WHEREAS, Common heart defects include, septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), coarctation of the aorta, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries and hypoplastic left heart syndrome as well as many others; and

WHEREAS, Congenital heart defects are among our state's most common birth defects and they are often fatal due to their seriousness, a lack of effective medical intervention options, and the limited availability of infant donor hearts; and

WHEREAS, The origins and symptoms of congenital heart defects are becoming more readily identifiable and the range of surgical options are expanding continuously thanks to doctors' and scientists' diligent research efforts and field experiences that extend our body of knowledge every day; and

WHEREAS, There is much to learn about the causes of and effective treatments for congenital heart defects, and it is important for parents, pediatricians, and nurses to recognize the warning signs associated with congenital heart defects among newborns so they may provide proper treatment as early as possible; and

WHEREAS, Many of Rhode Island's families and communities are directly or indirectly affected by infant illness and death caused by congenital heart defects; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims February th through the th of 2026, to be "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week" in our State. We furthermore urge all the citizens of the State to join us in the observance of this event and to recognize and applaud the efforts of doctors and scientists everywhere who work diligently to solve life's medical mysteries and to improve the quality of life for us all; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Heart Association in Providence.