[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 225 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 225

 To designate November 23, 2000, Thanksgiving Day, as a day to ``Give 
Thanks, Give Life'' and to discuss organ and tissue donation with other 
                            family members.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            November 8, 1999

Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Frist, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Levin, Mr. Kennedy, 
   Mr. Feingold, Mr. Dorgan, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Mack, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. 
Thurmond) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 To designate November 23, 2000, Thanksgiving Day, as a day to ``Give 
Thanks, Give Life'' and to discuss organ and tissue donation with other 
                            family members.

Whereas traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time for families to take time out of 
        their busy lives to come together and to give thanks for the many 
        blessings in their lives;
Whereas approximately 21,000 men, women, and children in the United States are 
        given the gift of life each year through transplantation surgery, made 
        possible by the generosity of organ and tissue donations;
Whereas more than 66,000 Americans are awaiting their chance to prolong their 
        lives by finding a matching donor;
Whereas nearly 5,000 of these patients each year (or 13 patients each day) die 
        while waiting for a donated heart, liver, kidney, or other organ;
Whereas nationwide there are up to 15,000 potential donors annually, but 
        families' consent to donation is received for less than 6,000;
Whereas the need for organ donations greatly exceeds the supply available;
Whereas designation as an organ donor on a driver's license or voter's 
        registration is a valuable step, but does not ensure donation when an 
        occasion arises;
Whereas the demand for transplantation will likely increase in the coming years 
        due to the growing safety of transplantation surgery due to improvements 
        in technology and drug developments, prolonged life expectancy, and 
        increased prevalence of diseases that may lead to organ damage and 
        failure, including hypertension, alcoholism, and hepatitis C infection;
Whereas the need for a more diverse donor pool, including a variety of racial 
        and ethnic minorities, will continue to grow in the coming years;
Whereas the final decision on whether a potential donor can share the gift of 
        life usually is made by surviving family members regardless of the 
        patient's initial intent;
Whereas many Americans have indicated a willingness to donate their organs and 
        tissues but have not discussed this critical matter with the family 
        members who are most likely to make the decision, if the occasion 
        arises, as to whether that person will be an organ and tissue donor;
Whereas some family members may be reluctant to give consent to donate their 
        deceased loved one's organs and tissues at a very difficult and 
        emotional time if that person has not clearly expressed a desire or 
        willingness to do so;
Whereas the vast majority of Americans are likely to spend part of Thanksgiving 
        Day with some of those family members who would be approached to make 
        such a decision; and
Whereas it is fitting for families to spend a portion of that day discussing how 
        they might give life to others on a day devoted to giving thanks for 
        their own blessings: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate designates November 23, 2000, 
Thanksgiving Day, as a day to ``Give Thanks, Give Life'' and to discuss 
organ and tissue donation with other family members so that informed 
decisions can be made if the occasion to donate arises.
                                 <all>