Political Quotes

“According to the most recent annual report of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the shortage of organs for transplant is getting worse. Approximately 21,715 transplants were performed in 1999. The number of persons on the national transplant waiting list as of February 2001 was approximately 74,000. The number of deaths among persons who were on the transplant waiting list tripled in the decade of the 1990s. Although cadaveric and live donation rates have increased, the need for these organs has grown even faster. I applaud the effort of my colleagues to raise awareness of the need for more organ donations. I want to also pledge to work with Secretary Thompson on this important issue. He has indicated that he will make organ donation a priority of this administration. One interesting statistic he often cites is that two-thirds of Americans have not expressed their wishes about donation. Clearly, there is much that can be done to increase organ donations. The two measures before us today, H. Con. Res. 31 and H.R. 624, are steps in the right direction. I want to make particular note of the efforts of my friend and colleague, Representative Karen Thurman. She has made all of us aware of the need to act quickly and decisively to address a host of donation issues. Her resolution on organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation deserves our enthusiastic support. H.R. 624 addresses both cadaveric and living donations.”