For Immediate Release:
March 11, 2004
Senator Cliff Aldridge
Bill Requiring CPR Training in Schools Approved
The Senate has approved a measure aimed at
saving the lives of Oklahoma public school students. Senate
Bill 1474 would require that at least one teacher and one
support staff member in each school receive training in
cardiopulmonary resuscitation each year.
The Senate originally voted on the measure on Monday, but
with a vote of 24 yes and 19 no votes, the measure was one
vote short of the minimum 25 needed to win approval. The
Senate reconsidered the bill on Thursday granting approval
by a vote of 25 to 17.
Senator Cliff
Aldridge, R-Midwest City, is author of SB 1474 and said
he was inspired by the life-saving heroics of a local third-grader.
On March 29th, 2003, Ciara Mitchell realized a classmate
was choking on a piece of candy and performed the Heimlich
maneuver, saving her friend’s life. Ciara was later
honored by the Oklahoma State Senate with a Citation of
Appreciation for her actions.
“It was a fatal choking death at another area school
that caused Ridgecrest Elementary, where Ciara attended,
to offer CPR training. But some schools may not have followed
their lead. If we save just one child’s life with
this bill, it will be worth the effort,” said Senator
Aldridge.
“One concern some members had was whether this would
be an unfunded mandate. But the schools already have professional
development funds available that would cover this. In addition,
the Red Cross and American Heart Association have volunteers
that can provide training in many of our schools at no cost,”
said Senator Aldridge.
SB 1474 will next be considered by a House committee.
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Division - (405) 521-5774
