[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H10059-H10060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             AMERICA'S BLOOD SUPPLY READINESS MUCH IMPROVED

  (Mr. FLETCHER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1

[[Page H10060]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to draw my colleagues' attention to 
largely overlooked yet significant accomplishments on the homeland 
security front.
  Before the tragic events of September 11, the United States had a 
blood inventory of about 2 to 3 days. Critical blood shortages often 
meant cancellation of elective surgery and a national vulnerability to 
any sudden and widespread need for blood.
  Today, thanks to hundreds of thousands who have donated blood, and to 
the American Red Cross working tirelessly to collect it, we have 
tripled our supply to a 10-day national inventory of liquid red cells. 
This means enough blood to treat the immediate needs of 50,000 
critically injured patients; and as a physician, I understand just how 
important that is.
  However, blood is a perishable commodity, and sustaining an adequate 
supply will require 25,000 donations a day. That is why it is critical 
to our homeland health security that we encourage the national habit of 
giving blood twice a year.
  I hope all of us will encourage our friends and family to do so by 
calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

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