HOUSE MEMORIAL 7

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 1, 2008 AS "WEAR RED DAY" AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, diseases of the heart are the nation's leading cause of death and stroke is the nation's third-leading cause of death; and

     WHEREAS, cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of over four hundred sixty thousand American women each year, which is an estimated one death per minute; and

     WHEREAS, each year, fifty-three percent of all cardiovascular-disease deaths occur in women as compared to forty-seven percent in men; and

     WHEREAS, each year, approximately thirty-two thousand eight hundred more women than men die from a stroke; and

     WHEREAS, the estimated costs, both direct and indirect, of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in New Mexico in 2008 are nine hundred million dollars ($900,000,000); and

     WHEREAS, more women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five leading causes of death combined, including all cancers; and

     WHEREAS, only twenty-one percent of women consider cardiovascular disease their greatest health risk; and

     WHEREAS, February is designated as "American Heart Month"; and

     WHEREAS, "go red for women" is the American heart association's national call to increase awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death for women, and to inspire women to take charge of their heart health; and

     WHEREAS, all women should learn their own personal risk for heart disease, using tools such as the American heart association's "go red for women" heart checkup and by talking to their health care providers;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that, in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke, Friday, February 1, 2008, be proclaimed "Wear Red Day" at the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all New Mexicans be encouraged to show their support for women and the fight against heart disease by commemorating this day by wearing the color red.