A resolution designating the month of March as Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month, in memory of journalist David Bloom.

Mr. President, I have sought recognition today to submit a resolution to designate March 2005, as Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month.

Deep vein thrombosis, DVT, affects more than two million Americans each year, according to the American Heart Association. DVT is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs. These blood clots can grow in size, break loose, travel through the bloodstream and obstruct a pulmonary artery, resulting in a pulmonary embolism, PE, a sudden blockage of an artery in the lung, which can cause sudden death. According to the American Heart Association, up to 2 million Americans are affected annually by DVT. Up to 200,000 people die as a result of PE, 98 percent of which are complications brought on by DVT.

Deep vein thrombosis may best be known for its effects on those who fly for long periods of time. Sitting for many hours without getting up and moving around makes blood flow in the legs slow down, increasing the tendency for blood to clump and form blood clots. However, this cause of DVT accounts for only a small percentage of the DVT cases in the United States. DVT can strike anyone, anywhere. Americans who have or have had cancer or certain heart or respiratory diseases may be at increased risk for DVT. Americans are also at risk if they are overweight, elderly, bed-ridden, or have had a stroke.

Unfortunately, 74 percent of Americans have little or no awareness of DVT, according to a national survey sponsored by the American Public Health Association. DVT and its complications also take a toll on our Nation's hospital systems, costing approximately $860 million annually.

Among DVT's many victims was NBC News correspondent David Bloom. In March and April 2003, David, only 39 years old, was embedded with the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division covering the war in Iraq. On April 6, 2003, after being seated in a cramped Army vehicle for many hours, David was stricken with DVT. The blood clot had traveled to his lungs and proved fatal.

Like David Bloom, many of us may be at risk for DVT and not know it. Some risk factors include: acute medical illness such as cancer, certain heart or respiratory diseases, prior DVT, increasing age, obesity, major orthopedic surgery, pregnancy, restricted mobility and paralysis. DVT can be prevented through maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a fitness program and a healthy diet. Further, during periods of prolonged immobility such as airplane travel, stretch your legs as often as possible.

As Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, I led the effort to double funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over 5 years. Funding for the NIH has increased from $11.3 billion in fiscal year 1995 to $28.5 billion in fiscal year 2005. In 2004, the NIH, through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, provided $6.1 million for DVT and PE research. The NIH is also advancing research of this condition through a recently formed international partnership working to prevent and control blood clots, and improve therapies for conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms.

Together with Melanie Bloom, widow of David Bloom, and the more than 35 leading health organizations in the Coalition to Prevent DVT, we are working to help raise awareness of this condition. To increase public awareness of this serious, yet preventable condition, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to designate March 2005 as Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month in honor of David Bloom's memory.

Mr. President, I am pleased to have joined with my colleague Senator Arlen Specter in submitting a resolution yesterday, S. Res. 56, that would designate March as ``Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month.''

Many Americans are probably unfamiliar with deep-vein thrombosis, DVT, but it is a serious medical condition that occurs in approximately 2 million Americans each year. Given that it is both a common and preventable condition, it is important that more of us know about this disease so we can take steps to stop it.

Americans might be more commonly familiar with deep-vein thrombosis as the condition that can result from sitting in a small space, such as an airline seat, for a long period of time. In fact, this condition is sometimes called ``economy-class syndrome,'' and many airlines now encourage their passengers to get up and move around or otherwise exercise their extremities during cross-country or international flights in order to prevent it.

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the legs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation. Too often, this blood clot breaks loose from the wall of the vein and moves to the lungs, where it is called a pulmonary embolism and can cause sudden death.

Deep-vein thrombosis can happen to virtually anyone at any time. In fact, one of our Nation's finest journalists, NBC News correspondent David Bloom, died from a pulmonary embolism caused by DVT in April, 2003, while covering the war in Iraq at the early age of 39. But while David Bloom is one of the more well-known victims of DVT, he is not alone. Up to 200,000 die each year from pulmonary embolisms caused by

I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 56.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.