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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In 2004, cardiovascular disease (CVD) claimed more |
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than 871,000 lives, approximately 36 percent of all deaths in the |
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United States; estimates for that same year indicate that 79.4 |
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million Americans had one or more forms of CVD, such as high blood |
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pressure and coronary heart disease, or had suffered a |
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disease-related stroke; and |
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WHEREAS, In fact, coronary heart disease is the single |
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leading cause of death in the nation, responsible for more than |
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452,000 deaths in 2004; the American Heart Association estimates |
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that approximately 1.2 million Americans will suffer a new or |
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recurrent coronary attack this year alone; and |
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WHEREAS, Fortunately, relatively minor lifestyle changes can |
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significantly reduce a person's risk for CVD and related |
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conditions; brisk walking for 30 minutes a day can lower blood |
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pressure and bad cholesterol levels; moreover, research by the |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that moderate |
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physical activity can decrease direct medical costs considerably; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The advantages of physical activity and a healthy |
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workforce directly benefit the nation's employers as well; studies |
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suggest that by promoting employees' health, employers can decrease |
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healthcare costs, increase productivity, and improve the longevity |
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of their experienced employees; and |
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WHEREAS, To help energize the nation and encourage all |
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Americans to improve their physical health, the American Heart |
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Association is launching its Start! Walking at Work campaign on |
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April 25, 2007, or Start! Walking at Work Day, and it is fitting |
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that all Texans demonstrate support for this important initiative; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby express its support for Start! Walking at Work |
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Day, April 25, 2007, and urge all Texas citizens to commemorate this |
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day by walking at work. |