[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H5353-H5355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF SUMMER EMERGENCY BLOOD DONOR
MONTH
Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res 202) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives regarding the establishment of a Summer Emergency Blood
Donor Month to encourage eligible donors in the United States to donate
blood, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 202
Whereas every 3 seconds someone in the United States needs
a blood transfusion;
Whereas approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used each
day in the United States;
Whereas donated blood is used for transfusions of
platelets, red blood cells, and plasma;
Whereas between 5 and 8 pints of red blood cells and
approximately 5 pints of platelets are needed for the average
open-heart surgery;
Whereas people who have been in car accidents and suffered
massive blood loss may require transfusions of 50 pints or
more of red blood cells;
Whereas blood centers are often in short supply of type O
and type B blood;
Whereas shortages of type O and type B blood are most acute
during the summer and during traditional vacation periods
during the winter;
Whereas blood shortages can result in canceled surgeries,
emergency room closures, and even death;
Whereas the Southeastern United States was in short supply
of blood for transfusions before being hit by tropical storm
Allison and is now experiencing a blood shortage crisis;
Whereas other States are donating blood from their own
fragile blood supplies to the States that were hit hardest by
tropical storm Allison;
Whereas the State of New York is experiencing a blood
shortage crisis;
Whereas eligible donors in the State of New York are less
than half as likely as other eligible donors in the United
States to donate blood;
Whereas due to higher rates of cancer and other factors,
the demand for blood in New York is higher than in other
States;
Whereas the State of New York and the entire United States
would benefit from increased blood donation;
Whereas the establishment of a Summer Emergency Blood Donor
Season would encourage eligible donors in the United States
to donate blood; and
Whereas the summer of 2001 would be an appropriate season
to establish as Summer Emergency Blood Donor Season: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of
Representatives that--
(1) a Summer Emergency Blood Donor Season should be
established to encourage eligible donors in the United States
to donate blood; and
(2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on
the people of the United States to observe the summer of 2001
with appropriate programs and activities, including, in the
case of eligible donors, the donation of blood.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).
Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 202 expresses the sense
of Congress that the President should establish a Summer Emergency
Blood Donor Month to encourage eligible donors in the United States to
donate blood. Although we just celebrated Labor Day, which is the
traditional end of summer, the health care system continues to
experience a shortage of blood donors. This resolution expresses the
support of Congress to encourage blood donors to help their families
and neighbors in times of need and will hopefully serve to increase
public awareness of this issue.
I thank the principal sponsors of this resolution, the gentlewoman
from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) and the gentleman from New York (Mr.
King), for their work on this resolution, which I support.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Since 1970, the President of the United States has proclaimed January
as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, highlighting the importance of
giving the gift of life through the donation of blood. House Resolution
202 will continue to help raise the public's awareness about blood
donation by establishing a Summer Emergency Blood Donor Month.
Every 3 seconds, someone needs blood. Each day, patients across the
country receive approximately 32,000 units of this vital resource. This
year alone, as many as 4 million patients will require blood
transfusions, as accident victims, people undergoing surgery and
patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases.
By donating blood just once, each of us can save up to three lives. Too
many Americans wait until they need blood before they truly realize the
importance of volunteer blood donation. Sixty percent of the U.S.
population is eligible to donate blood, but only 5 percent do so. While
women and minority groups are volunteering to donate blood in
increasing numbers, the 5 percent who donate blood are generally
college-educated white males between the ages of 30 and 50 who are
married and have an above-average income.
The gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) should be commended for
raising all Americans' awareness about the importance of donating blood
and giving the gift of life. Blood donations are most needed during
holidays and in the summer. It is during the holidays and summer that
the number of donations decline while the demand continues or even
increases. This resolution will go a long way in addressing the
Nation's need for blood during this critical period.
I have always been told, Madam Speaker, that you cannot lead where
you do not go and you cannot teach what you do not know. So I am
pleased to note that each year at some point in time I find some way to
go to a blood donor organization, get on the couch, get on the table,
have my blood pressure taken and give blood, even if I have got some
reservation or hesitation.
Again I want to commend the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy)
and the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) and urge all Members of this
body to enthusiastically support this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. King), the principal cosponsor.
Mr. KING. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Indiana for
yielding time. I rise in strong support of House Resolution 202.
At the outset, let me thank the gentleman from Indiana for bringing
this bill to the floor and moving it along. I also want to pay a
special debt of thanks to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy)
for the effort and the leadership she has shown in this issue as she
has on so many other health-related issues.
Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Illinois really laid out the case.
The reality is that every 3 seconds somebody needs a transfusion.
Thirty-two thousand pints of blood are needed every
[[Page H5354]]
day. Yet as the demand goes up, the supply is going down. It is
essential that the Federal Government play a leadership role. One way
to do that, one very noted way of doing that is to set aside a month
during the summer season, to set aside the summer season as the time
when donation will be urged, encouraged. This is the time when the
demand is at its greatest.
That is why I am again proud to stand in support of House Resolution
202. It deserves the unanimous support of this body. I thank the
gentleman from Indiana, as I said. I thank the gentlewoman from Long
Island, New York (Mrs. McCarthy) for the leadership she has shown on
this issue.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may
consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy), the author of
this legislation and one of the more sensitive Members of this body in
relationship to human needs.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) and the gentleman from California
(Mr. Waxman) of the Committee on Government Reform for allowing this
resolution to come to the floor so rapidly. I want to certainly thank
my good friend from Long Island, New York (Mr. King) for helping me on
this issue. I want to associate myself with the kind words that the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) mentioned.
We talk about giving blood. I know as a nurse over so many years,
people are afraid to give blood. There is nothing to be afraid of. If
you do not like needles, just turn your eye. You can give it in 15
minutes. But taking that 15 minutes out of your life has an opportunity
to save so many lives. We always think about giving blood in times of
our community when there are accidents or a tragedy happens and people
do go to the hospitals to give blood. This is happening every single
day. No one talks about the children across this Nation that have
leukemia and they have to have transfusions. No one talks about how
much blood is needed for our patients that have hemophilic blood
problems. No one talks about cancer, how it affects women and how they
need their transfusion so they can go through their chemotherapy.
I am hoping that by us being here on the floor and talking about it,
those in the Nation who are watching this will say to themselves, ``You
know, I can make a difference.'' I think that is what we are trying to
ask. This resolution certainly is for the summer but it is blood every
single day that we need throughout the year.
The other thing that unfortunately is happening, we see especially in
New York that only 2 percent of the people of New York give blood. This
is happening across our larger cities. We do not talk about those in
the minority communities that come down with sickle-cell anemia and how
they need blood transfusions. We have to start educating people more
and more on why they should give blood. You can give blood almost every
53 days. It is certainly a habit that I am into.
I want to remind all my colleagues that the end of this month we will
be having another blood drive here in the Capitol. I am hoping that all
my colleagues will donate this time so we can set an example certainly
for all of our constituents back home. Also I would like to see all our
colleagues go home and do a blood drive. One of our jobs is to teach
our constituents on what we do. So I think it is extremely important.
Unfortunately, one of the other problems that we are seeing is
because we are seeing less and less blood coming over from Europe,
people do not realize how much blood we count on, especially in our
major cities for the transfusions that we get from overseas. That is
going to be cut off at the end of this month and unless we can
certainly sustain that, our cities are going to be in more of a crisis
than ever before.
So I certainly urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution
but more than support it, do something about it. The easiest thing that
we can do for the American people is to give blood. I happen to think
that people in this country are tremendous during emergencies. Well, we
are in an emergency. A pint of blood can save three lives or even more.
I urge that this resolution be passed. I thank again the gentleman from
New York (Mr. King). I thank the committee for passing this so fast.
Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I would like to again thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton)
and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) for bringing this to the
floor in an expeditious way and also the gentlewoman from New York
(Mrs. McCarthy) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) for their
leadership and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for his
statement. It reminds us again and we are going officially on record
that we need to think beyond ourselves and think of others and pay
tribute to the millions of Americans who already donate blood and
encourage that at this time of need.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana. It is always a pleasure
to work with him and to interact with him. I will close by simply
stating that when we give blood, we give the gift of life. I want to
thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) for stimulating me
and for challenging all of us. I am going to take up her challenge and
I am going to go back to my district and organize a blood donor drive
before the end of this year.
Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to join my
colleagues in supporting H. Res. 202, a resolution expressing the sense
of the House regarding the establishment of a Summer Emergency Blood
Donor Season to encourage eligible donors in the United States to
donate blood.
Currently, our blood supply sometimes struggles to meet the demand
for blood, which is increasing due to an aging population, increase in
cancer diagnoses and new medical and surgical advancements. The recent
decision by the Food and Drug Administration to eliminate donations
from Europe will exacerbate this situation in New York City. Our
teaching hospitals offer the finest surgical care in the world but
these procedures often require substantial amounts of blood to
stabilize a patient. That is why I am co-hosting a blood drive with,
the Brooklyn/Staten Island Blood Services, the newest operating region
of the New York Blood Center this coming Saturday at the East New York
Diagnostic and Treatment Center.
This drive is specifically designed to encourage minority
participation in the City's blood drive. Less than 8% of the Blood
Center's volunteer blood donors are African-American. This population
represents only 7% of the community's blood supply. Yet, African-
Americans make up nearly 30% of New York City's population. Blood is
particularly needed from minorities because minority patients sometimes
have rare and unique markers, known as antigens, in their blood
inherited from their race and ethnicity and may require a life-saving
transfusion from someone of the same background. This Saturday's event
at the East NY Diagnostic and Treatment Center will help boost the
already significant collection progress in Brooklyn where the donor
base has been increased by one-third in the past year.
Having participated in Government Reform oversight hearings on the
nation's blood supply, I understand first-hand how critical it is to
encourage Americans to continually replenish the nation's blood centers
with blood donations. I want to commend the authors of this legislation
and the House leadership for scheduling this resolution at such a
critical time. Hopefully, it will greatly increase the public's
education and awareness about the need for blood donations. I urge my
colleagues to support H. Res. 202.
Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, as Americans, one of the many things that we
can be thankful for is the high quality of medical care. American
technology, physicians, and pharmaceutical companies are often leaders
in the development of new and improved healthcare equipment and
techniques. But even the most cutting-edge technologies, the best
doctors and nurses, and the finest facilities cannot save the life of a
person in need of a blood transfusion. A child with cancer, a mother
who was in a car accident, or a grandfather who needs an emergency
operation--any of these individuals could be saved by a simple gift of
blood. Without this vital gift, which I must add is in great demand,
many of our patients would not survive.
Yet consider the following: Only five percent of people who are able
to donate blood do so on a regular basis.
[[Page H5355]]
And, although donated blood can be stored for up to six weeks, it
usually is used within ten days because the demand is so great.
Every one of us knows someone--a family member, a friend, a loved
one--who has needed, and received a blood transfusion at some point.
But there are so many more who are in danger of not receiving the help
they need.
This is why it is so vital that we make people aware of the
importance of donating blood. I take this responsibility very seriously
and give blood on a regular basis. Yet, I am only one person. We need
to find ways to encourage more. Today, we can pass a resolution, which
expresses the sense of the House that we establish a summer emergency
blood donor season to encourage eligible donors.
I strongly support this resolution. We must ensure that everyone who
is able to give blood does so. It is perhaps the most important gift we
can give.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 202, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was
agreed to.
The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Resolution
expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the
establishment of a Summer Emergency Blood Donor Season to encourage
eligible donors in the United States to donate blood.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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