[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 137 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ALL STAR TRANSPLANT REUNION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 11, 2001

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Texas 
Transplant Institute (TTI) in San Antonio, Texas for hosting a special 
All Star Transplant Reunion. This event will honor all transplant 
patients and living donors from every Transplant Institute Program in 
Texas. Guests will also be joined by Spurs basketball player and donor 
recipient, Sean Elliott.
  San Antonio's Texas Transplant Institute was created in 1999 by 
combining the solid organ transplant program at Methodist Speciality 
and Transplant Hospital with the bone marrow/stem cell transplant 
program at Methodist Hospital. Over the years, the Institute has 
expanded. In May 2001, a liver transplant program was added to the 
Institute. And in July, a pediatric kidney transplant program was added 
to complete the full range of services provided at the Texas Transplant 
Institute.
  Today, the Texas Transplant Institute is the only program in the 
United States that combines the resources and talents of both the bone 
marrow/stem cell program and the solid organ transplant program under 
one entity. Through its mission of ``Continuing the Legacy of Hope 
Through Patient Care, Research and Education,'' the Texas Transplant 
Institute is dedicated to serving patients who are in need of organ and 
bone marrow/stem cell transplants. Collectively, these programs have 
served over 2,500 patients. It has performed 1,684 kidney transplants, 
631 bone marrow/stem cell transplants, 212 heart transplants, and 2 
liver transplants to patients all over the United States.
  On October 13, 2001, hundreds of transplant recipients, patients on 
waiting lists, and living donors who are considered an inspiration to 
more than 80,000 men, women, and children will unite. Many will meet 
for the first time with their respective donors, as well as other 
individuals who will attend and are urgently awaiting for a transplant 
to replace a failing kidney, heart, liver, lung, or pancreas.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to commend the Texas Transplant 
Institute for hosting this special All Star Transplant Reunion. I 
especially want to thank the doctors and staff at TTI for their hard 
work and dedication and I wish them well as they continue their life-
saving services to the community.

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