[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 52 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E665-E666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRANSPLANTATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 1999

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, as we approach National Organ and Tissue 
Donor Awareness Week, April 18-24, I rise today to recognize the 
American Society of Transplantation, an organization comprised of 1,400 
transplant physicians, surgeons, and scientists actively engaged in the 
research and practice of transplantation medicine and immunobiology and 
represents the majority of professionals in the field of 
transplantation in the United States. AST members play a critical role 
in the management of transplant patients from the onset of end-stage 
disease to post-transplantation are involved in basic research that 
translates from ``bench to bedside,'' improving the care of transplant 
patients.
  The 1999 National Donor Recognition Ceremony, sponsored by the Health 
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will kick-off the week's 
activities that will be promoting organ and tissue donation and 
celebrating donors. AST's President, John F. Neylan, MD will be a 
speaker at this event along with U.S. Surgeon General, David Satcher, 
MD, PhD. Similar events will be taking place around the country next 
week. Organ procurement agencies, transplant centers and transplant-
related organizations across the nation will sponsor activities with a 
donation theme ranging from health fairs to sporting events. Donor 
memorial services and transplant recipient reunions will take place to 
celebrate and recognize those individuals who have given the ultimate 
gift . . . ``the Gift of Life.''
  As a strong supporter of medical research, I commend the AST, 
headquartered in my district, for their dedication and commitment to 
research, education, advocacy and patient care in transplantation 
science and medicine. These dedicated physicians are integral members 
of the ``transplant team'' and in many cases, are the directors of 
their transplant program.
  Through the work of AST, the transfer of information to the 
transplant clinics from basic science laboratories will lead to new 
scientific advances and improvements in patient care. Next month, AST 
will be holding their 18th Annual Scientific Meeting which will attract 
an international attendance to the city of Chicago and will feature the 
cutting edge science that is opening new frontiers in transplantation 
medicine and immunobiology. AST members assist in providing the ``Gift 
of Life'' and I commend them for their contributions to our society's 
health care.

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