Georgia CommonsHR 1180: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week; February 7-14, 2026; recognize
Last action February 2, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution designates February 7-14, 2026, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, honoring survivors and raising awareness of birth defects affecting the heart.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes February 7-14, 2026 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. It cites statistics on congenital heart defects, describing them as among Georgia's most common birth defects and noting that around 40,000 children in the United States are born each year with one of more than 35 identified forms of the condition. The resolution highlights the story of Ben Abram Lingenfelter, who was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries, underwent multiple open heart surgeries, graduated from the University of Georgia, and founded the Miracle Child Heart Foundation to support other survivors. The House directs its Clerk to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the Lingenfelter family. The resolution does not create any new law, funding, or regulatory requirement.
What the bill does
- Formally designates February 7-14, 2026 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in Georgia.
- Recognizes the medical and personal impact of congenital heart defects on Georgia families through a series of factual statements (whereas clauses).
- Honors Ben Abram Lingenfelter's survival story and his founding of the Miracle Child Heart Foundation.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the Lingenfelter family.
Who it affects
This resolution mainly affects the Lingenfelter family, who receive a copy in recognition of Ben Lingenfelter's story, and more broadly honors Georgia families affected by congenital heart defects, along with the doctors, nurses, and researchers who treat the condition.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or funding changes, but it gives official recognition to a health issue affecting thousands of children nationally and many Georgia families, and publicly honors a survivor's advocacy work through his foundation.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses state that congenital heart defects are among Georgia's most common birth defect and can be fatal due to limited treatment options.
- It notes about 40,000 children nationally are born each year with one of more than 35 identified congenital heart defects.
- It recounts Ben Abram Lingenfelter's multiple open heart surgeries and his founding of the Miracle Child Heart Foundation.
- The resolving clause designates February 7-14, 2026 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week.
- A further resolution directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to the Lingenfelter family.
From the bill
“the members of this body recognize February 7-14, 2026, as Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week.”
“Ben Abram Lingenfelter, born August 3, 2002, with Trasposition of the Great Arteries, endured open heart surgery during his first week of life”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)
Topics
- congenital heart defects
- child health awareness
- Georgia House resolutions
- birth defects