[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 17 (Monday, April 29, 2002)]
[Page 667]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7544--National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, 2002

 April 19, 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.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 23, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 
24. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.