[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 425--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF 
                     ``NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH''

  Mr. CASEY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 425

       Whereas in March 2014, over 118,800 individuals were on the 
     official waiting list for organ donation managed by the Organ 
     Procurement and Transplantation Network;
       Whereas in 2013, 31,422 organs from 14,257 donors 
     (including both living and deceased donors) were transplanted 
     into 28,952 patients, yet 6,123 candidates for 
     transplantation died while waiting for an organ transplant;
       Whereas on average, 18 people die every day of every year 
     while waiting for an organ donation;
       Whereas over 100,000,000 people in the United States are 
     registered to be organ and tissue donors, yet the demand for 
     donated organs still outweighs the supply of organs made 
     available each day;
       Whereas many people do not know about their options for 
     organ and tissue donation, or have not made their wishes 
     clear to their families;
       Whereas organ and tissue donation can give meaning to the 
     tragic loss of a loved one by enabling up to 8 people to 
     receive the gift of life from a single deceased donor;
       Whereas living donors can donate a kidney or a portion of a 
     lung or liver to save the life of another individual; and
       Whereas April is traditionally recognized as ``National 
     Donate Life Month'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Donate Life 
     Month'';
       (2) supports promoting awareness of organ donation;
       (3) encourages States, localities, and the territories and 
     possessions of the United States to support the goals and 
     ideals of National Donate Life Month by issuing proclamations 
     designating April 2014 as National Donate Life Month;
       (4) commends the generous gift of life provided by 
     individuals who indicate their wish to become organ donors;
       (5) acknowledges the grief of families facing the loss of a 
     loved one and commends those families who, in their grief, 
     choose to donate the organs of their deceased family member;
       (6) recognizes the generous contribution made by each 
     living individual who has donated an organ to save a life;
       (7) acknowledges the advances in medical technology that 
     have enabled organ transplantation with organs donated by 
     living individuals to become a viable treatment option for an 
     increasing number of patients;
       (8) commends the medical professionals and organ 
     transplantation experts who have worked to improve the 
     process of living organ donation and increase the number of 
     living donors; and
       (9) salutes all individuals who have helped to give the 
     gift of life by supporting, promoting, and encouraging organ 
     donation.

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