[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 12 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 247 HONORING NATIONAL DONOR 
                                  DAY

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2000

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleague and good friend, 
Representative Karen Thurman, in support of House Concurrent Resolution 
247, to honor National Donor Day and recognize the importance of organ, 
tissue, bone marrow & blood donation.
  With more than ten people dying every day and approximately 70,000 
Americans currently awaiting organs, it is clear that our nation is 
facing a crisis. This resolution will help raise awareness and increase 
donations nationwide--it is a meaningful step toward bringing an end to 
our nation's current predicament.
  A number of businesses, foundations, health organizations, and the 
Department of Health and Human Services have previously designated 
February 12th as National Donor Day. The first two National Donor Days 
succeeded in raising a total of almost 17,000 units of blood, adding 
over 2,400 potential donors to the National Marrow Donor Program 
Registry, and included mass distribution of organ and tissue pledge 
cards. This Concurrent Resolution supports National Donor Day, 
encourages Americans to learn about and openly discuss donation, and 
calls on the President to issue a proclamation to demonstrate support 
for organ, tissue, blood and bone marrow donation.
  Research points to a clear need for public education and incentive 
programs to increase organ donation. This Congress, I also introduced 
legislation, H.R. 941, the ``Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act of 
1999,'' to create a commemorative medal that honors organ donors and 
their families. This Act is intended to draw attention to this life-
saving issue and to send a clear message that donating one's organs is 
a selfless act worth the profound respect of our Nation. I hope Members 
would also consider this effort to increase donations.
  This problem is clear--there are not enough organs to meet the needs 
of patients nationwide. Let's support initiatives such as H.R. 941, to 
create an organ donor medal, and H. Con. Res. 247, to honor National 
Donor Day and recognize the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow & 
blood donation. Such initiatives will help raise awareness, increase 
donations nationwide, and both are meaningful steps toward bringing an 
end to the lack of available organs nationwide.




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