[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3693-S3694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FIRST FAMILY PLEDGE CAMPAIGN

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today marks the completion of a year-long 
public education effort called the First Family Pledge Campaign to 
increase awareness of the need for organ donation and to increase the 
number of people willing to be organ donors.
  The campaign has focused primarily on the need to discuss organ 
transplantation within the family. Open family discussion is essential 
to ensure that each person's commitment to become an organ donor is 
understood and honored by family members. As part of that campaign, my 
wife Vicky and I agreed to become organ donors, and to discuss the 
issue in our family.
  The campaign for organ donation has been an excellent opportunity to 
recognize the success of organ transplantation in saving lives, and 
Congress should be proud that it has helped to

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support this achievement. Fourteen years ago, we created the National 
Organ Transplant Program. Our goal was to do all we can to see that 
organ failure is not a death sentence and make it possible for many 
more Americans to return to good health. We have had significant 
success. More than 20,000 Americans--men, women and children--now 
receive life-saving organ transplants each year. But more needs to be 
done.
  Too many Americans die while waiting for organ transplantation. More 
than 60,000 Americans are waiting for organ transplantation. Every day, 
55 of those people have an organ transplant. And every day, 10 others 
die because they did not have timely access to an organ. While there 
are differences of opinion about how an organ distribution system 
should be designed, it is clear that the overriding problem is a 
shortage in the availability of healthy organs.
  In 1997, there were more than 9,000 organ donors. Nearly 4,000 of 
those donors were living relatives who were willing and eligible to 
give an organ--a kidney or part of a liver--to a family member in need. 
But transplantation of this type is not an option for many in need.
  Each year, approximately 5,000 persons donate organs upon death. 
These acts of generosity are saving the lives of countless others. 
Transplantation of a cornea can restore sight. Transplantation of a 
kidney means life without dialysis. And transplantation of a heart, 
lung or liver means the difference between life and death. Studies show 
that more than 10,000 individuals each year could become organ donors 
after their death, and some estimates are as high as 15,000 each year.
  The reasons that an individual does not become an organ donor vary. 
In some cases, the donation may conflict with religious or personal 
beliefs. But in far too many cases, the reason is simply lack of 
awareness of the need, or misunderstanding of the process.
  In building the national organ donation and transplantation system, 
we have taken great care to ensure that individuals and families are 
not coerced into decisions to donate their organs. We have a strong 
shared commitment to respect personal and religious beliefs. Congress 
has made it illegal for organs to be sold--another measure to ensure 
freedom of choice. The Secretary of HHS has proposed a rule to 
encourage donation by training hospital personnel to explain the 
process. This rule, which I support, specifies that only trained 
hospital personnel are permitted to approach families of potential 
organ donors. But the most effective measure to increase organ donation 
is open discussion, long before a time of crisis. Families need to 
explore their beliefs and opinions, make personal commitments, and have 
an opportunity to honor the beliefs and commitments of loved ones who 
die.
  In closing, I commend the First Family Pledge Campaign for all it has 
done to encourage and support these important efforts. Congress must 
continue to pursue legislation and policies to assure that all 
Americans in need have access to life-saving transplantation. Adequate 
funding is essential to support these services. We need to be sure that 
the distribution system is fair and effective. And we need to continue 
our nationwide efforts to educate the public about the need for and 
value of organ donation.

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