SR684: SR684 American Heart Month; recognize February 2026

26 LC 44 3361S (SCS) Senate Resolution 684 By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Dixon of the 45th, Mangham of the 55th and others ADOPTED SENATE A RESOLUTION Recognizing February 2026 as American Heart Month; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death worldwide, and each year more than2 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States, with approximately3 10 percent of people surviving; and4 WHEREAS, about 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home, meaning that5 people nearby!often family members !are the first and most critical link in the chain of6 survival; and7 WHEREAS, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can doub le or even triple a8 person's chance of survival, yet only about 41 percent of peopl e who experience cardiac9 arrest receive immediate CPR from someone nearby, and fewer than 12 percent receive aid10 from an automated external defibrillator (AED) before advanced help arrives; and11 WHEREAS, for adults and teens, Hands-Only CPR, calling 911, and pushing hard and fast12 in the center of the chest can double or triple the chance of s urvival, while infants and13 children require CPR with rescue breaths to restore oxygen and circulation; and14 S. R. 684 - 1 - 26 LC 44 3361S (SCS) WHEREAS, each year more than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside of the15 hospital, with almost 40 percent related to sports and nearly 2 0 percent occurring among16 infants; cardiac arrest accounts for 10 to 15 percent of sudden unexpected infant deaths; and17 WHEREAS, studies show that women are less likely than men to re ceive CPR before18 advanced help arrives due to fear of causing harm, perceived legal risk, or discomfort about19 physical contact-factors that must be addressed through education and awareness; and20 WHEREAS, the American Heart Association has set a bold goal to double survival from21 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030 through its "Nation of L ifesavers" initiative,22 empowering people everywhere to confidently perform CPR and use AEDs; and23 WHEREAS, straightforward, community-based solutions such as CPR and AED education,24 public access to defibrillators, and cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) in schools,25 workplaces, and public spaces can save lives and strengthen community readiness.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body27 recognize February 2026 as American Heart Month at the state ca pitol and encourage all28 residents to learn CPR, promote awareness of cardiac arrest and emergency response, and29 join the effort to build a "Nation of Lifesavers," ensuring that every person, everywhere, is30 prepared to act in a cardiac emergency.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the33 press.34 S. R. 684 - 2 -