    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [September 24, 1999]
    [Pages 1598-1599]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Organ Donor Leave Act
    September 24, 1999

        Today, I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 457, the ``Organ Donor
    Leave Act,'' which would enhance the Federal Government's leadership
    role in encouraging organ donations by making it easier for Federal
    employees to become donors.
        Currently, more than 65,000 Americans are awaiting an organ
    transplant. Last year, almost 5,000 Americans died while waiting for an
    organ to become available. This amounts to an average of 13 citizens
    each day. Many of these deaths could have been prevented if there were a
    sufficient supply of donor organs. H.R. 457 is a valuable tool to help
    address the needs of Americans waiting for organs by encouraging
    donations by Federal employees.
        In 1997, my Administration launched the National Organ and Tissue
    Donation Initiative, which included new efforts by the Federal
    Government to increase awareness among Federal employees of the need for
    organ and tissue donation. The Department of Health and Human Services,
    in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management, has implemented
    a Government-wide campaign to encourage Federal employees to consider
    organ donation and, as the country's largest employer, to set the
    example for the private sector as well as other public organizations.
        H.R. 457 builds on my Administration's long-standing commitment to
    increasing organ donations nationwide. Under current law, a Federal

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    employee may use up to 7 days of paid leave each year, other than sick
    leave or annual leave, to serve as a donor. Recent surveys of doctors
    and hospitals indicate that the current 7-day limit is clearly
    insufficient for recovery from organ donation surgery. This bill
    increases the amount of paid leave available to Federal employees who
    donate organs for transplants, providing up to 30 days of paid leave, in
    addition to annual and sick leave, for organ donation.
        In addition to our current efforts, my Administration will go
    forward in the coming weeks with the framework for an organ allocation
    system that will serve patients better. Our approach, which has been
    validated by the Institute of Medicine, calls for improved allocation
    policies to be designed by transplant professionals, not by the
    Government, and would ensure better and fairer treatment for patients.
    We need an organ allocation system that is as good as our transplant
    technology, and it is time for sound allocation policies to go into
    effect.
        It gives me great pleasure to sign H.R. 457 into law. I welcome the
    opportunity to help Federal employees participate in this life-saving
    effort.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    September 24, 1999.

    Note: H.R. 457, approved September 24, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
    56.