[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 1, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 EYE BANK ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA--MARCH 1995 NATIONAL EYE DONOR MONTH 
                              PROCLAMATION

                                 ______


                           HON. LARRY COMBEST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 1995
  Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, across the country, transplantation 
surgeries are saving and enhancing many lives. Eye, organ, and tissue 
donation and transplantation have benefited thousands of people 
nationwide. Today, I am asking that we take a moment to focus on eye 
donation and on the importance of preserving and restoring sight 
through the miracle of corneal transplantation. The benefits of sight 
restoring transplant surgery extend beyond the individuals who received 
the transplants; they also extend to the recipients' families, 
communities, and businesses. In recent years, the efforts of Congress, 
educators, and the media have had an enormous positive impact on the 
success of eye donor programs.
  Every year thousands of corneal transplants are performed across the 
country, restoring precious sight to young and old. In 1993, over 
90,000 eyes were donated to eye banks across the United States. From 
those eyes, over 40,000 corneas were used in transplantation 
procedures. The remaining eyes were used for research, training, and 
other surgical procedures. While the figures for 1994 are still being 
tallied, even greater totals are projected.
  Anyone can be an eye donor. Neither cataracts, poor eyesight, nor age 
prohibit one from being a donor. However, it is important for 
individuals who want to be donors to inform family members of their 
wishes.
  Since 1961, when the Eye Bank Association of America [EBAA] was 
founded, EBAA member eye banks have made possible one-half million 
corneal transplants, with a success rate of over 90 percent. The EBAA 
is the Nation's oldest national transplant association. The EBAA is 
dedicated to the restoration of sight through the promotion and 
advancement of eye banking. It has led the transplantation field with 
the establishment of medical standards for the procurement and 
distribution of eyes and comprehensive training and certification 
programs for eye banking personnel. These standards have been used as 
models for other transplantation organizations. There are over 110 
member eye banks operating in over 150 locations in 43 States, the 
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Saudi Arabia, England, and 
Australia.
  Despite the extraordinary efforts of eye banks, there are still many 
people who wait in darkness for corneal transplant surgeries due to a 
lack of donated tissue. At any time in the United States, about 6,000 
people are on waiting lists for corneal transplants. Public education 
is the best way to increase donation, as it enables people to talk to 
their loved ones and learn of their wishes before times of crisis and 
grief.
  We, in Congress, can lead the effort to educate the public about the 
need for eye donation and encourage more Americans to become donors. We 
have joined the Eye Bank Association of America every year since 1983, 
and do so again by proclaiming March 1995 as National Eye Donor Month. 
In so doing, we call on all Americans to support us in promoting the 
worthy endeavor of enhancing the lives of fellow citizens through the 
restoration of sight.


                          ____________________