[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 39 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IMPORTANCE OF ORGAN DONATION

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                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2002

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, after September 11th, Americans proved 
once again that they are the most compassionate and generous people in 
the world through their financial generosity to the victims of the 
tragedy. Unfortunately, organ donors--Americans who sacrifice for 
others--are often overlooked. Organ transplantation is a unique medical 
procedure, since it relies on the kindness and compassion of others--
often strangers--to save lives. Despite the generosity of thousands of 
donors, however, the supply of organs still falls short of the need.
  Currently, there is a nationwide shortage of available and suitable 
organs for patients needing a transplant. Nearly 75,000 people are 
currently waiting to receive a transplant, and every 14 minutes another 
name is added to the list. In the last decade alone, the waiting list 
has grown by over 300 percent. Because of low donor rates, thousands of 
people die each year for lack of suitable organs.
  Through his tragic death, the grandson of one of my constituents was 
able to give life and hope to many others. Corey had been involved with 
motorcycles since he was a small boy. He was riding at a motorcycle 
track, like he had done many times before, practicing with his new 
motorcycle. The cycle over-throttled and crashed into his best friend, 
who was riding a motorcycle in the opposite direction. Corey suffered 
immediate brain swelling and never recovered. But fortunately for 
others, Corey's parents chose to donate his organs and give others the 
gift of life. I would like to personally thank them for their gift and 
commend their great sacrifice in their own time of mourning.
  Through a gracious letter from the donor services organization, 
Corey's family was able to learn how his gift was able to touch the 
lives of so many others. His heart went to a young 14-year-old in 
Alabama, who required a transplant due to a heart defect from birth. 
Corey's liver went to a 67-year-old mother from Virginia, and his 
pancreas to a 49-year-old mother of two from Tennessee.
  Donation of a person's organs is a profoundly selfless act that 
should be respected and acknowledged. Out of Corey's donation, many 
lives were touched and many people now have hope that they might not 
have had otherwise. I would encourage all Americans to follow Corey's 
example and register to donate their organs so that others may live.

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