[Fwd: S. Res. Nov. 2000 Thanksgiving Day]

[Guest guest]

I thought group members in the U.S. would be interested in this

resolution.

106th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 225

To designate November 23, 2000, Thanksgiving Day, as a day to ``Give

Thanks, Give Life'' and to discuss organ and tissue donation with other

family members.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 8, 1999

Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Frist, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Levin, Mr. Kennedy,

Mr. Feingold, Mr. Dorgan, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Mack, Mr. Dodd, and Mr.

Thurmond) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

To designate November 23, 2000, Thanksgiving Day, as a day to ``Give

Thanks, Give Life'' and to discuss organ and tissue donation with other

family members.

Whereas traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time for families to take time out

of

their busy lives to come together and to give thanks for the many

blessings in their lives;

Whereas approximately 21,000 men, women, and children in the United States

are

given the gift of life each year through transplantation surgery,

made

possible by the generosity of organ and tissue donations;

Whereas more than 66,000 Americans are awaiting their chance to prolong

their

lives by finding a matching donor;

Whereas nearly 5,000 of these patients each year (or 13 patients each day)

die

while waiting for a donated heart, liver, kidney, or other organ;

Whereas nationwide there are up to 15,000 potential donors annually, but

families' consent to donation is received for less than 6,000;

Whereas the need for organ donations greatly exceeds the supply available;

Whereas designation as an organ donor on a driver's license or voter's

registration is a valuable step, but does not ensure donation when

an

occasion arises;

Whereas the demand for transplantation will likely increase in the coming

years

due to the growing safety of transplantation surgery due to

improvements

in technology and drug developments, prolonged life expectancy, and

increased prevalence of diseases that may lead to organ damage and

failure, including hypertension, alcoholism, and hepatitis C

infection;

Whereas the need for a more diverse donor pool, including a variety of

racial

and ethnic minorities, will continue to grow in the coming years;

Whereas the final decision on whether a potential donor can share the gift

of

life usually is made by surviving family members regardless of the

patient's initial intent;

Whereas many Americans have indicated a willingness to donate their organs

and

tissues but have not discussed this critical matter with the family

members who are most likely to make the decision, if the occasion

arises, as to whether that person will be an organ and tissue donor;

Whereas some family members may be reluctant to give consent to donate their

deceased loved one's organs and tissues at a very difficult and

emotional time if that person has not clearly expressed a desire or

willingness to do so;

Whereas the vast majority of Americans are likely to spend part of

Thanksgiving

Day with some of those family members who would be approached to

make

such a decision; and

Whereas it is fitting for families to spend a portion of that day discussing

how

they might give life to others on a day devoted to giving thanks for

their own blessings: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate designates November 23, 2000,

Thanksgiving Day, as a day to ``Give Thanks, Give Life'' and to discuss

organ and tissue donation with other family members so that informed

decisions can be made if the occasion to donate arises.

<all>