[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 156 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14299-S14300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 225--TO DESIGNATE NOVEMBER 23, 2000, THANKSGIVING 
 DAY, AS A DAY TO ``GIVE THANKS, GIVE LIFE'' AND TO DISCUSS ORGAN AND 
               TISSUE DONATION WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Frist, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Levin, Mr. 
Kennedy, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Dorgan, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Mack, Mr. Dodd, and 
Mr. Thurmond) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 225

       Whereas traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time for families 
     to take time out of their busy lives to come together and to 
     give thanks for the many blessings in their lives;
       Whereas approximately 21,000 men, women, and children in 
     the United States are given the gift of life each year 
     through transplantation surgery, made possible by the 
     generosity of organ and tissue donations;
       Whereas more than 66,000 Americans are awaiting their 
     chance to prolong their lives by finding a matching donor;
       Whereas nearly 5,000 of these patients each year (or 13 
     patients each day) die while waiting for a donated heart, 
     liver, kidney, or other organ;
       Whereas nationwide there are up to 15,000 potential donors 
     annually, but families' consent to donation is received for 
     less than 6,000;
       Whereas the need for organ donations greatly exceeds the 
     supply available;
       Whereas designation as an organ donor on a driver's license 
     or voter's registration is a valuable step, but does not 
     ensure donation when an occasion arises;
       Whereas the demand for transplantation will likely increase 
     in the coming years due to the growing safety of 
     transplantation surgery due to improvements in technology and 
     drug developments, prolonged life expectancy, and increased 
     prevalence of diseases that may lead to organ damage and 
     failure, including hypertension, alcoholism, and hepatitis C 
     infection;
       Whereas the need for a more diverse donor pool, including a 
     variety of racial and ethnic minorities, will continue to 
     grow in the coming years;
       Whereas the final decision on whether a potential donor can 
     share the gift of life usually is made by surviving family 
     members regardless of the patient's initial intent;
       Whereas many Americans have indicated a willingness to 
     donate their organs and tissues but have not discussed this 
     critical matter with the family members who are most likely 
     to make the decision, if the occasion arises, as to whether 
     that person will be an organ and tissue donor;
       Whereas some family members may be reluctant to give 
     consent to donate their deceased loved one's organs and 
     tissues at a very difficult and emotional time if that person 
     has not clearly expressed a desire or willingness to do so;
       Whereas the vast majority of Americans are likely to spend 
     part of Thanksgiving Day with some of those family members 
     who would be approached to make such a decision; and
       Whereas it is fitting for families to spend a portion of 
     that day discussing how they might give life to others on a 
     day devoted to giving thanks for their own blessings: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates November 23, 2000, 
     Thanksgiving Day, as a day to ``Give Thanks, Give Life'' and 
     to discuss organ and tissue donation with other family

[[Page S14300]]

     members so that informed decisions can be made if the 
     occasion to donate arises.

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with my distinguished 
colleagues, Senator Frist, Senator DeWine, Senator Kennedy, Senator 
Levin and others in submitting a resolution that would designate 
November 23, 2000, Thanksgiving Day, as a day for families to discuss 
organ and tissue donation with other family members. The resolution 
uses the theme Give Thanks, Give Life to encourage these discussions so 
that informed decisions can be made if the occasion to donate arises.
  Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time for families to take time out 
of their busy lives to come together and give thanks for the many 
blessings in their lives. This presents the perfect opportunity for 
family members to discuss their intentions on the issue of organ and 
tissue donation. Although designation as an organ donor on a driver's 
license or voter's registration is a valuable first step in the 
donation process, it does not ensure donation will take place since the 
final decision on whether a potential donor will share the gift of life 
is always made by surviving family members regardless of their loved 
one's initial intent.
  There are approximately 21,000 men, women, and children in the United 
States who receive the gift of life each year through transplantation 
surgery made possible by the generosity of organ and tissue donations. 
This is only a small proportion of the more than 66,000 Americans who 
are on the waiting list, hoping for their chance to prolong their lives 
by finding a matching donor. Tragically, nearly 5,000 of these patients 
each year (or 13 patients each day) die while waiting for a donated 
heart, liver, kidney, or other organ.
  In order to narrow the gap between the supply and the increasing 
demand for donated organs, there must be an effort to encourage willing 
donors to make their desire to donate clear to the only people able to 
make the decision, if the occasion should arise--their immediate family 
members. Although there are up to 15,000 potential donors annually, 
families' consent to donation is received for less than 6,000 donors. 
As the demand for transplantation increases due to prolonged life 
expectancy; increased prevalence of diseases that lead to organ damage 
and failure including hypertension, alcoholism, and hepatitis C 
infection, this shortfall will become even more pronounced. 
Additionally, the need for a more diverse donor pool, including a 
variety of racial and ethnic minorities, will also continue to grow 
with the predicted population trends.
  Many Americans will spend part of the Thanksgiving Day with some of 
those family members who would be most likely approached to make the 
important decision of whether or not to donate. Therefore, this would 
be a good time for families to spend a portion of that day discussing 
how they might give life to others on a day devoted to giving thanks 
for their own blessings. Open family discussions on this topic on a day 
of relaxation and family togetherness will increase awareness of the 
intentions of those willing to make the courageous and selfless 
decision to be organ donors, leading to more lifesaving transplants in 
the future. Designation of November 23, 2000, Thanksgiving Day, as a 
day for families to Give Thanks, Give Life is an important next step to 
promoting the dialogue between willing donors and their families, so 
that family members will know their loved ones' wishes long before the 
issue arises.
  We have received the support of many national organ and tissue 
donation organizations for this resolution including: the American 
Heart Association, American Kidney Fund, American Liver Foundation, 
American Lung Association, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, 
Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, Coalition on Donation, 
Eye Bank Association of America, National Kidney Foundation, National 
Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP), 
Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO), United Network 
for Organ Sharing (UNOS), and the Wendy Marks Foundation for Organ 
Donor Awareness. The efforts of these groups and others have been 
critical in increasing donor awareness and education of the public on 
this extremely important cause.
  Mr. President, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this worthwhile resolution designating Thanksgiving day of 2000 as a 
day for families to discuss organ and tissue donation with other family 
members, a day to ``Give Thanks, Give Life.''

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