[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23456]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCING THE RELIEF FOR LIFE-SAVING BLOOD DONORS ACT 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Relief for Life-Saving Blood Donors Act, a bill to provide a tax 
deduction for the selfless act of donating blood.
  Each year, more than 4.5 million Americans need a life-saving blood 
transfusion, and about 25 percent of all Americans will need a blood 
transfusion at least once in their life. This means that almost every 
American will come to know, through their own experience or through 
those of a friend or family member, the importance that the small act 
of blood donation can make. Indeed, a single blood donation can help as 
many as three people.
  While 60 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood, only about 
5 percent of that population, or about 8.8 million Americans, actually 
do. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, the average 
donor is a college-educated white male between the ages of 30 and 50, 
who is married and has an above average income. Nevertheless, blood 
donations are increasingly coming from women and minority groups, 
engendering greater participation at the community level by members who 
seek to develop a more solid sense of neighborhood unity.
  America's blood supply is critical to our Nation's seniors. While 
those aged 69 years and older account for just 10 percent of the 
population, they require 50 percent of blood transfusions. This 
statistic will only increase with the aging of the Baby Boomer 
population, and the need for blood will be even greater.
  While there is no current, nationwide shortage of blood, regional and 
local shortages do occur. It is not hard to imagine that a major 
national trauma, such as a terrorist attack, disease, or natural 
disaster, could strain the blood supply even further. Since blood 
cannot be manufactured, the system is reliant on people to donate their 
blood.
  Mr. Speaker, donating blood is a small but entirely selfless act that 
does nothing but help those who need it most. Congress should support 
this endeavor, and encourage people to give blood as often as they can.
  This legislation provides a $50 tax deduction for individuals who 
donate blood, with a maximum deduction of $150 a year. This maximum 
reflects the advice of blood bank centers and institutions that 
encourage people to give blood three times a year. This relief is a 
small reward for people who do give, and an encouragement for those who 
might need that extra little push to attend a blood drive.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and call on the 
House to bring it expeditiously to the floor.

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