MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dawkins, Harden, Baria, Lee (47th), Butler (38th), Clarke, Davis, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Ward, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE FEBRUARY 4, 2011, AS AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION "NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY" IN MISSISSIPPI TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE EFFECTS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN WOMEN.
WHEREAS, "Go Red For Women" is the American Heart Association's solution to save women's lives. Too many women die each year because they are unaware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, Go Red is asking women to bring a voice to this silent killer, "The Heart Truth." The Heart Truth Campaign is working with partners to spread the word that heart disease is a major women's health concern. Special events and programs are focusing attention on this important issue; and
WHEREAS, cardiovascular disease kills approximately 450,000 women each year, about one every minute. While 1 in 30 American women die of breast cancer, about 1 in 3 die from cardiovascular disease. More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer; and
WHEREAS, ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease; however, only 1 in 5 women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat; and
WHEREAS, heart disease is largely preventable, in fact, 80% of cardiac events in women may be prevented if women make the right choices for their hearts, involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking; and
WHEREAS, research shows that women who "Go Red" are more likely to make health choices:
· More than 1/3 have lost weight;
· Nearly 55% have increased their exercise;
· Six out of ten have changed their diets;
· More than 40% have checked their cholesterol levels;
· One-third have talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans; and
WHEREAS, this year, Go Red For Women invites women across the country to participate in "The Heart Truth" Campaign by participating in National Wear Red Day (February 4, 2011), and by wearing red on National Wear Red Day and spreading the word to others to build awareness and inspire action; and
WHEREAS, Celebrate National Wear Red Day, the first Friday in February, is when Americans nationwide wear red to show their support for women's heart disease awareness. The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease introduces the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness to deliver an urgent wake-up call to American women. The Red Dress reminds women of the need to protect their heart health, and inspires them to take action. National Wear Red Day promotes the symbol and provides an opportunity for everyone to unite in this life-saving awareness movement by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, or tie, or Red Dress Pin. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the Office on Women's Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease; the Mississippi Chapter of the American Heart Association; and many other groups promote National Wear Red Day in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, each year thousands of men and women at companies, organizations, churches and schools wear red to fight heart disease on this day:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and designate February 4, 2011, as American Heart Association "National Wear Red Day" in Mississippi and encourage all citizens to join in bringing awareness to the effects of cardiovascular disease in women.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Mississippi Chapter of the American Heart Association and forwarded to the State Board of Health for appropriate distribution to the citizens of our state, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.