SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 902

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 lifesaving 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 cardiopulmonary resuscitation and using an automated external defibrillator 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 cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 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 cardiopulmonary resuscitation is delivered promptly, a victim's chance of survival doubles, and for every minute without it, the likelihood decreases by 7 to 10 percent; since the time that elapses 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 cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the process helps maintain blood flow to the heart and brain, and thereby increases the period of time during which an electric shock from a defibrillator may be effective; similarly, if a bystander uses an automated external defibrillator, 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby recognize June 1 through June 7, 2009, as CPR-AED Awareness Week in Texas and encourage all citizens to seek training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the usage of automated external defibrillators. Hinojosa

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 13, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate