State of Vermont

Executive Department

A Proclamation

Whereas,                            Congenital heart defects are the most frequently occurring birth defect and the leading cause of birth defect related deaths worldwide; and

Whereas,                            over one million families across the United States are facing the challenges and hardships of raising children with congenital heart defects; and

Whereas,                            approximately 40,000 babies annually are born in the United States with congenital heart defects; and

Whereas,                            undiagnosed congenital heart defects may cause sudden cardiac death in young athletes; and

now, Therefore,            I, Peter Shumlin, Governor, do hereby proclaim February 7-13, A.D. 2011 as

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

in Vermont, and encourage Vermonters to observe this tradition by sharing experience

and information in order to raise public awareness of congenital heart defects.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of

Vermont on this day of February, A.D. 2011

Peter Shumlin
Governor

Alexandra MacLean
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs