Heart to heart.

Illinois Representative Timothy Osmond worked hard to get defibrillators placed in public places before he died of a heart attack last year. As a paramedic, he knew firsthand how they saved lives. Portable, lightweight and easy to use, the device delivers a shock that can return a heart to its normal rhythm after cardiac arrest. Now his family is carrying on his mission. "We're not going to turn our back on anyone," said Osmond's wife, JoAnn, who was appointed to her husband's seat after his death. Using a memorial fund, the family has donated 10 defibrillators (each cost about $1,400) to schools and churches. They plan to set up a nonprofit charity to raise money for more. All 50 states now have laws allowing broader use of defibrillators, and at least a half dozen have committed state funds for distribution. Details are provided in an NCSL on-line report, at www.ncsl.org/programs/health/aed.htm