Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives relating to automated external defibrillator (AED) education in the Nation's schools

Mr. Speaker, this past June marked the nine- year anniversary since Tanner Lee Jameson collapsed at a school basketball game. Tanner was in cardiac arrest and needed an automated external defibrillator or AED. But the school's defibrillator was inaccessible, and Tanner did not survive.

Seconds count for those suffering from sudden cardiac arrest. Chance of survival decreases 7-10 percent for every minute without CPR and a defibrillator. A defibrillator is easy to operate and highly effective in restoring the heart's normal rhythm. Schools with AED programs have survival rates of over 70 percent, as compared to only 10 percent for children in schools without AEDs.

Because of this, I am proud to have introduced House Resolution 35 to encourage public schools with AEDs to hold annual training in their schools on how to use their AEDs. My resolution has the support of the American Heart Association, American Ambulance Association, the American College of Cardiology, National Association of School Nurses, and many others.

My constituent and Tanner's mother, Rhonda Harrill, has been a dedicated advocate for increased AED presence and awareness. Thanks to her efforts, Tennessee has passed two laws increasing the number of schools with AEDs, especially in readily-accessible locations.

I am honored to represent constituents such as Rhonda, who has celebrated her son Tanner's life by advocating for the lives of others' children.

Today, I am pleased to join my colleagues in participating in the AED Hunt on the Hill, an annual event hosted by the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation. Cardiomyopathy affects how the heart pumps blood through the body and is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in the young. This condition does not have obvious symptoms, so it is often not detected until tragedy strikes.

It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to remember Tanner Jameson's life and participate in this year's AED Hunt on the Hill. We can all help save lives by increasing awareness about the importance of having accessible AEDs.

Mr. Speaker, my constituent, Tanner Lee Jameson, was just 13 when he died from cardiac arrest during a basketball game. His school had an automated external defibrillator, or AED, in a nearby office, but it was inaccessible when Tanner needed it most.

Since Tanner's passing, his mother, and my constituent, Rhonda Harrill, who is in the gallery today with her husband, has been a passionate advocate for increased AED access.

Early this year, I introduced the AEDs resolution, H. Res. 35, which would encourage schools to have AEDs and to provide annual AED training.

In 1998, I introduced, and Congress passed, the Aviation Medical Assistance Act, the law that requires, among other things, passenger airplanes and airports to have AEDs and flight crews to receive additional first aid and AED training.

Today, I am pleased to participate in this year's AED Hunt on the Hill, sponsored by my friend, Dr. Phil Roe, and hosted by the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to remember Tanner Jameson's life, and I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H. Res. 35 to hopefully help save lives in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 35) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives relating to automated external defibrillator (AED) training in the Nation's schools, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

I have an amendment to the text at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the preamble at the desk.