[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 20005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10201]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 20005]]

                Proclamation 7544 of April 19, 2002

                
National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, 
                2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our Nation's organ and tissue donor program is an 
                important part of our healthcare system. Through the 
                organ donor program, Americans can provide hope to 
                those who face difficult and often life-threatening 
                conditions caused by the failure of vital organs. The 
                selfless generosity of organ and tissue donors helps 
                meet a significant and growing need in our country.

                Statistics show that approximately 60 Americans receive 
                a transplant every day. However, at the same time, 
                another 15 people die because not enough organs are 
                available. There are more than 79,500 patients waiting 
                for an organ transplant, and another person joins the 
                waiting list every 13 minutes.

                My Administration is committed to expanding the organ 
                and tissue program to close this gap. Last year, 
                Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tommy 
                Thompson assumed leadership of this effort through the 
                ``Gift of Life Donation Initiative.'' This Initiative 
                involves collaboration among businesses and employees 
                to make organ donation information more available. It 
                also includes the development of a national forum on 
                donor registries, a new model donor card, and increased 
                cooperation between HHS, other Federal agencies, and 
                State governments to promote donor awareness.

                Every day, Americans across our Nation provide help for 
                those in need in countless ways. During this week, we 
                renew our efforts to foster this compassion and to help 
                save lives by promoting organ and tissue donation.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim April 21 through April 27, 
                2002, as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness 
                Week. I call upon all medical professionals, educators, 
                volunteers, government agencies, and private 
                organizations to join me in raising awareness of the 
                need for organ donors in communities throughout our 
                Nation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand 
                this nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-10201
Filed 4-23-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P