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Friday, July 29, 2005- U.S. Representative Lois Capps, 23rd Congressional District of California became the first member of Congress to stand before the U.S. Assembly and House Speaker, Dennis Hastert to proclaim September 2005 “Save A Life Month”

Every year Save A Life Foundation, proud member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizen Corps coordinates a national awareness movement that encourages thousands of mayors along with governors to proclaim “Save A Life Month” for his/her community; this year marks the first for congressional leaders to participate.

The goal of “Save A Life Month” is to heighten emergency preparedness awareness along with basic life-supporting first aid training, including CPR, Heimlich maneuver and the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) to citizens, especially schoolchildren, grades K-12. 

In the spring of 2005, after observing an SALF “For Kids” pilot training hosted by Mayor Marty Blum of Santa Barbara California, Congresswoman Capps joined Illinois Congressman John Shimkus to co-sponsor a bi-partisan Dear Colleague Letter to raise SALF awareness in Congress. 

In addition to the Dear Colleague Letter Representative Capps also proclaimed September 2005 National “Save A Life Month” in front of Congress and stated, “The U.S. Surgeon General recognizes Save A Life Foundation’s life-supporting programs as a medical component to the “Year of the Healthy Child” initiative.  As both a Nurse and a Member of Congress, I am very supportive of the work that Save A Life Foundation does to equip the general public with the tools necessary to assist in an emergency”.

The overall objective of Save A Life Foundation’s crusade is to enrich the public’s confidence and desire to come to the aid of others in traumatic situations before medical help arrives.

In addition to this year’s “Save A Life Month” the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is hosting their National Preparedness Month 2005, a nationwide effort to encourage American’s to take action and prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. 

To learn more about SALF and “Save A Life Month” contact National Director of Communications, Ciprina Spizzirri.