[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION AWARENESS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2000

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today to introduce 
legislation to authorize the organ and tissue donation awareness 
``semi-postal'' stamp.
  With 67,000 people on the organ donation waiting list, there is no 
time to lose in educating the public about the importance of organ and 
tissue donation.
  As a result of strong congressional interest, the U.S. Postal Service 
issued a 32-cent organ donation commemorative stamp in August 1998, but 
the postal rate increased to 33 cents just five months later. Even 
though this commemorative stamp is still available at some post 
offices, purchasers have to buy a 1-cent stamp to make up the 
difference in postage, which works to discourage people from buying and 
using the organ donation stamp. Despite these difficulties, there are 
less than 3 million of these stamps remaining from the 50 million that 
the post office printed.
  This time, we are seeking authorization for a ``semi-postal'' stamp 
that would sell for up to 25 percent above the value of a first-class 
stamp with the surplus revenues going to programs to increase organ 
donor awareness.
  The decision to donate an organ is a life-saving decision, but one 
that is unfortunately not communicated among family members and loved 
ones. We strongly believe that every effort we make to remind people 
that this is a decision that should not wait until tragedy strikes, is 
an effort toward saving lives. Whether it is an organ and tissue 
donation postage stamp or a box that drivers may mark as they are 
renewing their drivers' licenses--these all serve to raise attention to 
the important issue of communicating a decision to become an organ 
donor with family members and friends before tragedy strikes.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues, Representatives 
Moakley, Thurman, and Franks, for being original cosponsors of this 
legislation. I urge you and other Members of this Congress to join with 
us and cosponsor this very worthwhile measure.

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