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Wearing Our Hearts On Our Sleeves (Rep. Lois Capps)

by Calif. Dem. Rep. Lois Capps - 02/14/08 4:00 PM ET

Happy Valentine’s Day! As we go about our busy day enjoying tasty treats with friends and loved ones, admiring beautiful bouquets sent by admirers, or preparing gifts or special meals to celebrate Cupid’s special day, I hope you’ll all take a moment to remember that February is American Heart Month and today is “Go Red
The Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues is also leading the effort today to pass a resolution recognizing American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day (H.Res.972). The resolution, which notes that diseases of the heart are the leading cause of death in America and that stroke is the third leading cause of death in both American men and women, is part of the Caucus’ broader efforts to highlight the impact of heart disease on women.

Beyond today’s resolution to raise awareness about heart disease in women, the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues is working to pass the HEART for Women Act, legislation introduced to help ensure that heart disease and stroke are more widely recognized and more effectively treated in women. Last year I introduced this bipartisan bill with my colleagues Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Barbara Cubin (R-WY). Our bill is making excellent progress and I am hopeful that we will be able to pass it later this year.