HR1180: HR1180 Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week; February 7-14, 2026; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives designates February 7-14, 2026 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. It notes that congenital heart defects are among the most common birth defects in Georgia and can be fatal without proper medical care, and it encourages awareness of warning signs so parents, pediatricians, and nurses can act early. The resolution also highlights the story of Ben Abram Lingenfelter, a Georgian born with a heart defect who survived multiple open heart surgeries, graduated from the University of Georgia, and started the Miracle Child Heart Foundation. The House directs its Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to the Lingenfelter family. The resolution does not create any new law, funding, or requirement; it is a symbolic statement by the House.

• Formally recognizes February 7-14, 2026 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in Georgia through a House resolution.
• States the House's view that congenital heart defects are a serious and common birth defect affecting Georgia families.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for the Lingenfelter family.
• Creates no new statute, funding, penalty, or ongoing program; it has no legal effect beyond the designation itself.

The resolution mainly affects the Lingenfelter family, who are named and will receive a copy of it, and more broadly serves as a symbolic gesture toward Georgia families affected by congenital heart defects, along with pediatricians and nurses mentioned in the text.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it does not change any rights, requirements, or funding for Georgians. Its practical effect is limited to publicly marking an awareness week and formally honoring one family's experience with congenital heart defects.

• The whereas clauses describe congenital heart defects as one of Georgia's most common birth defects, noting about 40,000 affected children born annually in the United States.
• The resolution 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 resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the Lingenfelter family.

1. 2026-02-02House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-02-02House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-02House Hopper (House)

• Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)Primary sponsor

• congenital heart defects
• health awareness
• children's health
• Georgia House resolutions