[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 16403-16404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8429]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 65 / Friday, April 4, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 16403]]

                Proclamation 7658 of April 1, 2003

                
National Donate Life Month, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Advances in medical research and technology are helping 
                our citizens to live longer and better lives. An 
                important aspect of these improvements is transplant 
                technology. Today, up to 50 lives can be saved or 
                enhanced by just one organ and tissue donor. During 
                National Donate Life Month, we honor living and 
                deceased donors and their families across our Nation 
                who have renewed the lives of others, and we call upon 
                more Americans to follow their example.

                Through our Nation's organ and tissue donor programs, 
                thousands of Americans have given the gift of life. In 
                2002, 24,851 organ transplants and 32,744 corneal 
                transplants were performed in the United States. In 
                addition, the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry 
                facilitated an average of 173 transplants each month. 
                These donors' spirit of giving reflects the compassion 
                of our great Nation.

                Unfortunately, the current rate of donation is 
                inadequate to meet the growing needs of our fellow 
                Americans. Nearly 81,000 of our citizens are on the 
                national organ transplant waiting list. Each day, an 
                average of 68 of these individuals receive an organ 
                transplant, yet another 17 on the waiting list die. As 
                a Nation, we must strive to meet the needs of all 
                Americans awaiting such donations.

                Through the ``Gift of Life Donation Initiative,'' my 
                Administration is working to educate our Nation about 
                the importance of becoming a donor. During National 
                Donate Life Month, more than 6,000 partners, including 
                Federal agencies, State governments, private 
                industries, unions, fraternal organizations, and 
                associations have committed to promoting organ and 
                tissue donation awareness. As a result, millions of 
                Americans will learn about the many ways they can help 
                those in need and save lives.

                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 2003 as National 
                Donate Life Month. I call upon our citizens to sign an 
                organ and tissue donor card and to be screened for bone 
                marrow donation. I also urge healthcare professionals, 
                volunteers, educators, government agencies, and private 
                organizations to help raise awareness of the important 
                need for organ and tissue donors in communities 
                throughout our Nation.

[[Page 16404]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                First day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-8429
Filed 4-3-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P