LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 1-7, 2014, as CPR-AED Awareness Week in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing serious
health concerns, proclaiming official weeks to increase awareness of
such concerns, which affect thousands of New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 1-7, 2014, as CPR-AED
Awareness Week in the State of New York in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National CPR-AED Awareness Week; and
WHEREAS, Heart disease affects men, women, and children of every age
and race in the United States and continues to be the leading cause of
death in America; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 424,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur
annually nationwide, and nine out of 10 of these victims, will not
survive; and
WHEREAS, Sudden cardiac arrest results from an abnormal heart rhythm,
like ventricular fibrillation, in most adults; unfortunately, only 41
percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims receive bystander
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and
WHEREAS, Prompt delivery of CPR more than doubles the victim's chance
of survival by helping to maintain vital blood flow to the heart and
brain, increasing the amount of time in which an electric shock from a
defibrillator may be effective; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, an automated external defibrillator (AED), even
when used by a bystander, is safe, easy to operate and, if used imme-
diately after the onset of sudden cardiac arrest, highly effective in
restarting the heart; and
WHEREAS, For every minute without CPR, survival from witnessed cardiac
arrest decreases 7-10 percent; the interval between the 911 telephone
call and the arrival of Emergency Medical Services personnel may be
longer than five minutes, therefore, a cardiac arrest victim's survival
is likely to depend on a bystander trained in CPR who has access to a
lifesaving AED; and
WHEREAS, The American Heart Association, the American Red Cross and
the National Safety Council are preparing a public awareness and train-
ing campaign on CPR and AED use, to be held during the first week of
June; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 1-7, 2014, as
CPR-AED Awareness Week in the State of New York, to commend the good
work of the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross and the
National Safety Council, and to encourage all Americans to become prop-
erly trained in CPR and AED usage; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.