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Washington Senate adopts resolution declaring February 2025 American Heart Month
Summary
The Washington State Senate unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 8610 recognizing February 2025 as American Heart Month and urging CPR and AED training; senators also handled bill referrals and a procedural move to amend a bill's reading status.
The Washington State Senate adopted Senate Resolution 8610 on Feb. 24, 2025, proclaiming February 2025 as American Heart Month and urging increased public CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training.
The resolution text, read on the Senate floor, cited national statistics: more than 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside hospitals each year, about 70% of such events occur at home, and only about one in 10 people survive. The text said about 23,000 children under 18 experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest annually in the United States, nearly 40% of which are sports-related, and noted that approximately 46% of people who suffer cardiac arrest receive bystander CPR while waiting for emergency responders.
Senator Harris, who asked for the resolution's adoption, tied the measure to a personal experience: “My brother had a heart attack 2 weeks ago. . . . He's with us today,” he said on the floor, urging colleagues to learn CPR and how to use defibrillators. Senator Richeli supported the resolution as a public health measure and noted the risk to young athletes, and Senator Warnec described family history of heart disease and thanked advocates for improving rapid care and access. After remarks, the body adopted the resolution by voice vote; the clerk announced, “The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.”
The Senate also handled introductions and referrals and made a procedural change on a pending bill. The secretary read new introductions and referrals, including Senate Bill 5774, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Senator Richeli moved that measures introduced that day be referred to the committees as designated; with no objection, the referrals were ordered. Later, Senator Richeli moved to suspend the rules and remove Senate Bill 5262 from the consent calendar and place it on the second-reading calendar for the purpose of amendment; that motion was ordered without objection.
Guests from the American Heart Association and Miss Washington were recognized in the chamber following the resolution's adoption. The Senate then adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
Votes at a glance: Senate Resolution 8610 — adopted by voice vote (ayes announced; tally not specified). Senate Bill 5774 — referred to Committee on Ways and Means. Senate Bill 5262 — removed from consent calendar and placed on second-reading calendar for amendment.
