[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E757-E758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 1997

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Organ and 
Tissue Donor Awareness Week. In 1985, Congress set aside this week to 
promote a greater understanding about the lifesaving benefits of organ 
donation.

[[Page E758]]

  This week is about many things. It is about educating people about 
the organ donor program. It is about encouraging people to consider 
organ donations. And, it is about recognizing those people who have 
given this gift of life.
  Last year, 121 people in New Jersey donated organs, making 315 
lifesaving transplant operations possible. However, Mr. Speaker, we 
need to do so much more.
  There are more than 51,000 people in the United States awaiting organ 
transplants, nearly 1,000 residents in my State of New Jersey alone. 
Tragically, many of these people will die before they are able to 
receive a transplant due to the shortage of available donor organs.
  Mr. Speaker, I am a member of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. 
Diabetes is the leading cause of heart disease, stroke, amputations, 
blindness and kidney disease. It is the single most prevalent chronic 
illness among children.
  Any person living with diabetes knows that there may come a day when 
they will develop renal disease, which will necessitate a transplant. 
We must make sure, when there is a need for a kidney transplant or for 
a cornea transplant to restore sight, that an organ is available.
  Each one of us has a unique opportunity to help our fellow citizens. 
By signing an organ donor card, as I have, we are able to give the most 
precious of gifts to another human being. It may be the gift of sight; 
it may be the gift of life.
  During this week, I urge all of my colleagues to give very serious 
consideration to signing an organ donor card.