Senate Concurrent Resolution 647

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE APRIL 6, 2016, AS "DONATE LIFE MISSISSIPPI DAY" AT THE NEW CAPITOL BUILDING.

WHEREAS, one of the most meaningful gifts that a human being can bestow upon another is the gift of life; and

WHEREAS, Donate Life Mississippi works to educate Mississippians on the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation; and

WHEREAS, there are 1,462 Mississippians and 23,000 people nationwide currently on the transplant waiting list; and

WHEREAS, a new person is added to that list every 10 minutes and 22 people in the United States die every day because a life-saving organ transplant does not become available; and

WHEREAS, one individual's organ donation has the potential to save the lives of eight people, while tissue donation can heal the lives of 50 people; and

WHEREAS, only 37% of Mississippians with a driver's license or state ID are registered organ and tissue donors; and

WHEREAS, donatelifems.org is the official online organ and tissue donation registry, where Mississippians can share their donation wishes by registering to become organ and tissue donors; and

WHEREAS, Donate Life Mississippi, a partnership between Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, Mid-South Transplant Foundation and the Department of Public Safety, aims to increase the number of registered donors by providing Mississippians easy and secure access to document their decision to be organ and tissue donors:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate April 6, 2016, as "Donate Life Mississippi Day" at the New Capitol Building.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be present to Donate Life Mississippi and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.