[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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