[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 137 (Tuesday, October 25, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H9055-H9056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING AMERICA'S BLOOD CENTERS
Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 220) recognizing America's Blood Centers and its
member organizations for their commitment to providing over half the
Nation with a safe and adequate volunteer donor blood supply, and for
other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 220
Whereas each year more than 4,500,000 Americans need a
blood transfusion, and for over half the need is urgent and
lifesaving;
Whereas one out of three people need donated blood in their
lifetime, and one out of seven hospital patients need a blood
transfusion;
Whereas it is the blood available on a daily basis that
saves lives, and volunteer blood donors are required every
day to meet patient needs and to be immediately available in
times of disaster;
Whereas community blood centers strive year-round to
maintain a sufficient blood supply, an urgent task because
blood components must be constantly rotated as a result of
blood's short 42-day shelf life;
Whereas America's Blood Centers was founded in 1962 and is
North America's largest network of community-based, federally
licensed, not-for-profit blood centers;
Whereas members of America's Blood Centers serve more than
150,000,000 people and operate more than 600 collection
sites, collecting a significant amount of the blood supply of
the United States;
Whereas members of America's Blood Centers are currently
engaged in developing new tests and new technologies to
further assure the safety of the Nation's blood supply and
are actively engaged in biomedical research in the area of
transfusion medicine;
Whereas America's Blood Centers assists its members and
other blood organizations in assuring adequate blood supplies
for patients in times of disasters;
Whereas members of America's Blood Centers were the first
to respond to the Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine
shootings, and the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy and since
9/11 have supported and developed with the Departments of
Homeland Security and Health and Human Services proposals to
ensure rapid response and adequate blood support in the case
of a national disaster or act of terrorism; and
Whereas members of America's Blood Centers support military
operations around the globe: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the role of America's Blood Centers and its
members in--
(A) providing life saving blood to patients, including the
military in times of war and the Nation in times of disaster;
(B) ensuring the safety of that blood supply; and
(C) promoting essential blood donor initiatives;
(2) acknowledges the efforts made by member community blood
centers and other blood organizations to promote and protect
the safety and adequacy of blood components provided to
patients; and
(3) recognizes the need to promote a stable blood supply
and increase volunteer participation of blood donors.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Hampshire (Mr. Bass) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass).
General Leave
Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on this legislation and to insert extraneous material therein.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from New Hampshire?
There was no objection.
Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 220, a resolution
recognizing America's Blood Centers and their member organizations and
their commitment to providing over half the Nation with a safe and
adequate donor blood supply.
Each year more than 4\1/2\ million Americans need a blood
transfusion; and for many, donated blood will be a lifesaver. One out
of every three people will need donated blood in their lifetime. For
many of us, we do our part by participating in blood drives, but we do
not fully recognize the significance of our action.
What can take 15 minutes to donate a pint of blood can literally save
the life of a mother, a next-door neighbor, or a child. An ample blood
supply is also critically important to ensuring we are prepared to
respond to health care emergencies.
I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Boustany) for offering this
resolution. This is a great resolution, and I urge all Members to
support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I am proud to support H. Res. 220, which recognizes America's Blood
Centers. Founded 43 years ago, America's Blood Centers are North
America's largest network of nonprofit, community blood centers.
Seventy-six blood centers operate 600-plus collection sites in 45
States and provide nearly half the United States volunteer donor blood
supply.
There are some facts about blood and blood donation that I think are
worth noting. Four and a half million Americans would die each year
without lifesaving blood transfusions. Approximately 32,000 pints of
blood are used each day in our country. Every 3 seconds someone needs
blood. One out of every 10 people in the United States entering a
hospital needs blood. Just one pint of donated blood can help save as
many as three people's lives. About 3 gallons of blood supports the
entire Nation's blood needs for just 1 minute.
We all expect blood to be there for us when we need it, and that time
is too often unexpected. Whether it is a 7-year-old battling leukemia,
a father injured in a serious car accident, or a 65-year-old woman
having heart surgery, every day hundreds of people in our communities
need blood; and there is, of course, no substitute for it.
H. Res. 220 recognizes blood heroes who are ensuring that the safest
possible blood is readily available whenever and wherever needed. As we
recognize the important efforts of the blood centers, it is also
important to recognize and encourage those Americans who routinely give
blood. Both blood donors and blood centers are an essential lifeline
for all of us.
I urge the entire House to vote ``yes'' for this important
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Boustany).
Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 220, a
resolution I sponsored to recognize America's Blood Centers and its
member organizations for their commitment to providing the United
States with a safe and adequate volunteer donor blood supply. I would
also like to thank the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) for his
support of this resolution.
America's Blood Centers was founded in 1962 and is North America's
largest network of community-based, federally licensed, not-for-profit
blood centers. With locations in 45 States, America's Blood Centers
collects almost half the United States blood supply, more than any
other organization. They provide blood products and services to more
than 3,300 United States hospitals and serve more than 150 million
people.
America's Blood Centers have been a national leader in meeting
increased national blood supply needs, developing new donor recruitment
tools, and making blood donation a societal priority. They are often
the first responders to national disasters and ensure that needed
resources are available in times of crisis. And, in fact, Mr. Speaker
as a cardiac surgeon and a surgeon with extensive experience in open
heart surgery and in trauma, I have seen directly the benefit that
these blood centers provide.
Additionally, America's Blood Centers are currently engaged in
developing new tests and technologies to further assure the safety of
the Nation's blood supply and are actively engaged in biomedical
research in the area of transfusion medicine.
The resolution before us will ensure that America's Blood Centers
receives the national recognition they deserve for their work, work
that saves lives every day. Their services are invaluable, and I urge
my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in order to extend a warm thanks and
offer my heartfelt appreciation to those who work tirelessly to ensure
the well-being of all Americans. The purpose of House Resolution 220 is
to give credit where credit is due; to pay our respect
[[Page H9056]]
to those who provide life-giving assistance to those in need. I would
personally like to thank America's Blood Centers and its Member
Organizations for 43 years of providing blood products and services to
over 3,300 hospitals across the country.
I am extremely proud to say my district is home to members of
America's Blood Centers. The Delta Blood Bank in San Joaquin County is
a founding member of America's Blood Centers. The Delta Blood Bank
serves 18 hospitals throughout four California counties. And just as
the demand for assistance never rests, the Delta Blood Bank center is
staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This community
blood bank accepts donations throughout our beautiful central valley
from draw sites located in Stockton, Manteca, Lodi and my hometown of
Tracy.
Delta Blood Bank's diligent effort to collect, process, store and
distribute safe and reliable blood and blood components to every
patient in need has not gone unnoticed. America's Blood Centers has
been at the frontline to respond to disaster, military and everyday
demands. The America's Blood Centers has extended its helping hand
beyond the needs of thousands of American hospitals by providing blood
to our troops with the life-giving assistance they need. They play an
integral role in ensuring the safety of those risking their lives to
protect our great country.
House Resolution 220 recognizes the contribution America's Blood
Centers has made to the welfare of all Americans. Additionally, there
are other organizations that contribute, such as the Pleasanton Blood
Center, affiliated with the American Red Cross.
Again, on behalf of the 4.5 million who benefit from its services
each and every year, I would like to thank America's Blood Centers,
particularly Delta Blood Bank, which serves my hometown and home
district in California. And with such tragedies as hurricanes Katrina
and Rita and continuing struggles in the Global War on Terror, the role
the America's Blood Centers will play in the welfare of Californians
and all Americans will be as important as ever.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BASS. Mr. 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 New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 220, 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.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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