[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 81 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT CELEBRATES ITS 50TH 
                                 YEAR!

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES H. MALONEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2000

  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to bring to 
the attention of the House of Representatives and the American people 
the celebration of an event, and the history of an activity, that has 
gone on now for fifty years. Today and tomorrow, June 22nd and 23rd, 
2000, the American Red Cross Blood Services, Connecticut Region, is 
marking its fiftieth anniversary of blood collections in Connecticut.
  In 1950, at the Danbury Teacher's College, now the campus of Western 
Connecticut State University, in my congressional district, the first 
efforts to collect blood in Connecticut began. During that year, about 
10,000 pints of whole blood were taken using sterile glass bottles. In 
1999, nearly 160,000 pints were collected using sterile plastic 
collection kits.
  We have come a long way in advancing this very necessary program. Not 
only is the Red Cross to be congratulated for its efforts, but the 
people of Connecticut are to be commended for supporting the program 
and making the collections possible. The American Red Cross Blood 
Services continues to serve Connecticut's hospital Banking and 
Financial patients as the only provider of blood products to our 
state's 33 hospitals, as well as providing this and other forms of 
assistance in their disaster relief efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Connecticut's 5th District 
and the state as a whole, I congratulate the American Red Cross, and in 
particular, the American Red Cross Blood Services, Connecticut Region, 
for their commitment to our area and for the wonderful service they 
provide to all of us on a daily basis.

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