[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1014-E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRESSWOMAN SPEIER ENCOURAGES ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION REGISTRATION

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                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2009

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, today, 17 Americans awaiting organ 
transplants will die because a suitable donor was not available. These 
will be our mothers, fathers, children, and friends--some of the 
100,000 of our fellow Americans on the national organ transplant 
waiting list.
  But unlike so many threats that are out of our control, this is 
something that each of us can change simply by signing up with your 
state program.
  Volunteering to be an organ or tissue donor is a simple, painless, 
and selfless act of love and generosity, the impact of which cannot be 
understated. A single organ donation can save up to 8 lives and the 
donation of one person's tissue can save the lives of up to 50 others. 
Each year, 28,000 men, women and children are saved through organ 
donation. Despite the 80 million of us who are enrolled in state donor 
registries, there is still a need for more.
  Sadly, one-third of those on the national transplant waiting list 
will likely run out of time before a donor is found.

[[Page E1015]]

  Madam Speaker, in honor of National Donate Life Month, I urge my 
colleagues, my constituents and my fellow Americans to register as 
organ and tissue donors.

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