HR136: HR136 Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol; February 7-14, 2025; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives designates February 7 to 14, 2025 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol. It states that congenital heart defects are among the most common birth defects and a leading cause of birth-defect-related deaths worldwide, noting that about 40,000 babies are born with these conditions each year in the United States and that some go undiagnosed until later in life, sometimes contributing to sudden cardiac death in young athletes. The resolution does not create any new law, program, or funding. It simply has the House formally recognize the awareness week and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program.

• Formally recognizes February 7 to 14, 2025 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the Georgia state capitol.
• States facts about the prevalence and risks of congenital heart defects, including undiagnosed cases linked to sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or screening mandates for newborns or athletes.

The resolution primarily concerns families affected by congenital heart defects, health professionals who treat these conditions, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, which will receive a copy of the resolution through its Kids at Heart program.

While the resolution carries no legal force or funding, it gives official recognition at the state capitol to a health issue affecting thousands of Georgia and American families, and it raises public awareness about the risks of undiagnosed congenital heart defects.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe congenital heart defects as a leading cause of birth-defect-related death and cite about 40,000 U.S. births per year with such conditions.
• The resolving clause designates February 7 to 14, 2025 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol.
• A further resolution directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Kids at Heart program.
• The resolution contains no funding appropriations, mandates, or changes to existing Georgia law.

1. 2025-02-03House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-03House Hopper (House)

• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)Primary sponsor
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)

• congenital heart defects
• health awareness
• children's health
• state capitol recognition