00                   HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9                                                                    
01 Proclaiming April 19, 2015, as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day.                                              
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
03       WHEREAS one in every 2,500 babies is diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic                                    
04 hernia; and                                                                                                             
05       WHEREAS, since 2000, it is estimated that over 500,000 babies have been born with                               
06 congenital diaphragmatic hernia and only 50 percent of those babies survived; and                                       
07       WHEREAS, though congenital diaphragmatic hernia is as common as spina bifida                                    
08 and cystic fibrosis, very few people know about it; and                                                                 
09       WHEREAS, every year in the United States, 1,600 babies are born with congenital                                 
10 diaphragmatic hernia; and                                                                                               
11       WHEREAS, though many individuals living in the state have been diagnosed with                                   
12 and survived congenital diaphragmatic hernia, many families have endured the horrible pain                              
13 and grief associated with the loss of loved ones from congenital diaphragmatic hernia; and                              
14       WHEREAS individuals with congenital diaphragmatic hernia often endure multiple                                  
15 surgeries and medical complications beyond their diagnosis, including heart defects,                                    
16 pulmonary complications, gastric and intestinal problems, and developmental delays and                                  

01 require respiratory and medicinal support for years; and                                                                
02       WHEREAS raising awareness of this congenital defect will increase acceptance of                                 
03 and support for those individuals suffering from it and will help advocate for the medical                              
04 research and advances that are urgently needed;                                                                         
05       BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature proclaims April 19, 2015, as                                   
06 Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day; and be it                                                                   
07       FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature encourages the people of                                     
08 the state to observe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day with appropriate efforts to                             
09 promote awareness of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, to promote acceptance of and support                              
10 for individuals with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and their families, and to improve the                            
11 lives of individuals affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia.