A Proclamation

WHEREAS, diseases of the heart are the nation’s leading cause of death, stroke is the third leading cause of death, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death among women; and

WHEREAS, heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than half a million women each year -- more than the next seven causes of death combined, and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer including breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, the cost of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the US is estimated at $352 billion; and

WHEREAS, one in five females in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease; and

WHEREAS, 63 percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms of this disease; and

WHEREAS, February is designated as American Heart Month; and,

WHEREAS, the American Heart Association is launching a new campaign, Go Red For Women, to encourage women to pay attention to their hearts and help them live longer, stronger lives by reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease; and

WHEREAS, the City of Jackson will proclaim February 4, 2005 Jackson Goes Red for Women Day:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Haley Barbour, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim February 4, 2005 as

WEAR RED FOR WOMEN DAY

in the State of Mississippi and urge all citizens to wear red in recognition of family, friends and neighbors who have suffered from heart disease, and as a show of support to fight it. By increasing awareness of the risk factors for this devastating disease and taking actions to reduce them, we can save thousands of lives each year.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Jackson, on the seventh day of January in the year of our Lord, two thousand and four, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

HALEY BARBOUR
GOVERNOR

Inaugural
State of the State
Other Speeches

Photo Gallery

Upcoming Events
Request the Governor
Request the First Lady

Constituent Services

State Agencies
Education