[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 100 (Friday, June 15, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5203-H5204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY
(Mr. BRADY of Texas asked and was given permission to address the
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of World Blood
Donor Day and to celebrate and thank the 7 million Americans who choose
to donate blood each year.
Generosity saved the life of my dear friend and roommate, Congressman
Steve Scalise, after a shooter attacked our fellow colleagues and
teammates on the ball field during an early morning baseball practice a
year ago.
Blood can't be manufactured, so our entire national supply depends on
the selfless generosity of our blood donors. Because donated blood is
perishable, it has a limited shelf life and has to be continually
replenished.
Volunteer blood donations ensure that patients in need always have
access to the lifesaving gift of blood. In the summer, we see a big
drop in donations exactly at the time when people are out and about and
need it the most.
I encourage my colleagues to visit their local blood center and help
promote awareness. Be there for someone else. Give blood and share
life.
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