[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 220 Engrossed in House (EH)]


H. Res. 220

                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      October 25, 2005.
Whereas each year more than 4,500,000 Americans need a blood transfusion, and 
        for over half the need is urgent and lifesaving;
Whereas one out of three people need donated blood in their lifetime, and one 
        out of seven hospital patients need a blood transfusion;
Whereas it is the blood available on a daily basis that saves lives, and 
        volunteer blood donors are required every day to meet patient needs and 
        to be immediately available in times of disaster;
Whereas community blood centers strive year-round to maintain a sufficient blood 
        supply, an urgent task because blood components must be constantly 
        rotated as a result of blood's short 42-day shelf life;
Whereas America's Blood Centers was founded in 1962 and is North America's 
        largest network of community-based, federally licensed, not-for-profit 
        blood centers;
Whereas members of America's Blood Centers serve more than 150,000,000 people 
        and operate more than 600 collection sites, collecting a significant 
        amount of the blood supply of the United States;
Whereas members of America's Blood Centers are currently engaged in developing 
        new tests and new technologies to further assure the safety of the 
        Nation's blood supply and are actively engaged in biomedical research in 
        the area of transfusion medicine;
Whereas America's Blood Centers assists its members and other blood 
        organizations in assuring adequate blood supplies for patients in times 
        of disasters;
Whereas members of America's Blood Centers were the first to respond to the 
        Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine shootings, and the 9/11 World Trade 
        Center tragedy and since 9/11 have supported and developed with the 
        Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services proposals 
        to ensure rapid response and adequate blood support in the case of a 
        national disaster or act of terrorism; and
Whereas members of America's Blood Centers support military operations around 
        the globe: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the role of America's Blood Centers and its members 
        in--
                    (A) providing life saving blood to patients, including the 
                military in times of war and the Nation in times of disaster;
                    (B) ensuring the safety of that blood supply; and
                    (C) promoting essential blood donor initiatives;
            (2) acknowledges the efforts made by member community blood centers 
        and other blood organizations to promote and protect the safety and 
        adequacy of blood components provided to patients; and
            (3) recognizes the need to promote a stable blood supply and 
        increase volunteer participation of blood donors.



            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.