House Concurrent Resolution 17

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING APRIL AS ORGAN DONATION AND RECOVERY MONTH FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, more than 67,000 Americans are waiting for organs to become available; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, there were only 10,073 donors in the entire United States; and

WHEREAS, every 16 minutes a new name is added to the waiting list for an organ, while 13 people die every day waiting for a lifesaving transplant; and

WHEREAS, almost 25% of all individuals waiting on a liver transplant are under the age of 10; and

WHEREAS, over 90% of Mississippians waiting for an organ transplant are African Americans, yet they make up less than 10% of the state's donors; and

WHEREAS, one organ donor can save the lives of up to seven individuals in need of a transplant; and

WHEREAS, one tissue donor can enhance the lives of more than 50 individuals; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi passed the "Gift of Life" Act in 1998 that requires all families be given the option to donate organs and tissue at the time of death:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the month of April as Organ Donation and Recovery Month for the State of Mississippi.