[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 589 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 589

 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Minority Donor Awareness 
                                  Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 26, 2009

Mr. Clay submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                    Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Minority Donor Awareness 
                                  Day.

Whereas more than 96,000 individuals in the United States are on the national 
        waiting list for organ transplants;
Whereas in 2006, 50 percent of individuals on the national waiting list for 
        organ transplants were racial or ethnic minorities, including more than 
        27,000 African-Americans, nearly 16,000 Hispanics and Latinos, more than 
        6,000 Asians and Pacific Islanders, and nearly 900 American Indians and 
        Alaska Natives;
Whereas individuals on the national waiting list for organ transplants are most 
        likely to find well-matched organs within their own racial or ethnic 
        group, but minority organ donors account for only about 30 percent of 
        the available donor pool;
Whereas 20 million individuals in the United States suffer from chronic kidney 
        disease;
Whereas more than 80,000 individuals in the United States die each year from 
        chronic kidney disease;
Whereas African-Americans represented less than 13 percent of the population in 
        the United States in 2005, but represented nearly 35 percent of 
        individuals in the United States requiring a kidney transplant on the 
        national waiting list for organ transplants;
Whereas 17 individuals die each day waiting for organ transplants due to a 
        shortage of donated organs; and
Whereas the Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program, established 
        by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 
        and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 
        observes National Minority Donor Awareness Day on August 1 to increase 
        awareness of organ donation among African-American, Hispanic, Latino, 
        Asian, Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, and Native American populations 
        and to recognize minority donors and their families: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Minority 
        Donor Awareness Day;
            (2) recognizes the strength, resilience, struggle, and 
        courage of all individuals in the United States suffering from 
        chronic kidney disease; and
            (3) salutes health care professionals and volunteers, 
        families of organ donors, and all organ donors.
                                 <all>