[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6043]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE GIFT OF LIFE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL ACT OF 2003

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2003

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to reintroduce the Gift of Life 
Congressional Medal Act of 2003. This legislation creates a 
commemorative Congressional medal of honor for organ donors and their 
families for performing such a brave and self-less act. Recognition of 
these gifts of life also publicizes our critical national need to 
increase organ donation. I want to thank Senator Frist a heart and lung 
transplant surgeon himself, for introducing companion legislation in 
the Senate.
  There is a serious shortage of available and suitable organs for 
donation. Over 80,000 people are currently waiting for an organ 
transplant; 2,200 are children under age 18. Every 13 minutes a new 
name is added to the list. Because of low donor rates, in 2001 alone 
over 6,000 people died for lack of suitable organ. Physicians can now 
successfully transplant kidneys, lungs, pancreases, livers, and hearts 
with considerable success. But, without expanded efforts to increase 
organ donation, the supply of suitable organs will continue to lag 
behind the need. Incentive programs and public education are critical 
to maintaining and increasing the number of organs donated each year.
  Health and Human Services' (HHS) Secretary Thompson has been a strong 
advocate for organ donation throughout his years in public service. 
Under his leadership, HHS has already implemented initiatives to raise 
the public awareness of this vital act of giving life. The Gift of Life 
Congressional Medal Act is a great opportunity for us to work with 
Secretary Thompson to draw attention to this life-saving issue. It 
sends a clear message that donating one's organs is an act that should 
receive the profound respect of our nation.
  The Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act establishes a nonprofit fund 
to be used to design, produce, and distribute a Congressional medal of 
honor to organ donors or to a surviving family member. Enactment of 
this legislation would have no cost to the Federal Government. The 
Treasury Department would provide a small initial loan for start-up 
purposes, which would be fully repaid. Subsequently, the program would 
be self-sufficient through charitable donations.
  This is non-controversial, non-partisan legislation to increase the 
rate of organ donation. I ask my colleagues to help bring an end to 
transplant waiting lists and recognize the enormous faith and courage 
displayed by organ donors and their families. This bill honors these 
brave acts, while publicizing the critical need for increased organ 
donation. I urge swift passage of the Gift of Life Congressional Medal 
Act.

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