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<PRE>[DOCID: f:hr202ih.txt]






107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 202

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
  establishment of a Summer Emergency Blood Donor Month to encourage 
         eligible donors in the United States to donate blood.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 18, 2001

  Mrs. McCarthy of New York (for herself and Mr. King) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government 
                                 Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
  establishment of a Summer Emergency Blood Donor Month to encourage 
         eligible donors in the United States to donate blood.

Whereas every 3 seconds someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion;
Whereas approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used each day in the United 
        States;
Whereas donated blood is used for transfusions of platelets, red blood cells, 
        and plasma;
Whereas between 5 and 8 pints of red blood cells and approximately 5 pints of 
        platelets are needed for the average open-heart surgery;
Whereas people who have been in car accidents and suffered massive blood loss 
        may require transfusions of 50 pints or more of red blood cells;
Whereas blood centers are often in short supply of type O and type B blood;
Whereas shortages of type O and type B blood are most acute during the summer 
        and during traditional vacation periods during the winter;
Whereas blood shortages can result in canceled surgeries, emergency room 
        closures, and even death;
Whereas the Southeastern United States was in short supply of blood for 
        transfusions before being hit by tropical storm Allison and is now 
        experiencing a blood shortage crisis;
Whereas other States are donating blood from their own fragile blood supplies to 
        the States that were hit hardest by tropical storm Allison;
Whereas the State of New York is experiencing a blood shortage crisis;
Whereas eligible donors in the State of New York are less than half as likely as 
        other eligible donors in the United States to donate blood;
Whereas due to higher rates of cancer and other factors, the demand for blood in 
        New York is higher than in other States;
Whereas the State of New York and the entire United States would benefit from 
        increased blood donation;
Whereas the establishment of a Summer Emergency Blood Donor Month would 
        encourage eligible donors in the United States to donate blood; and
Whereas July 2001 would be an appropriate month to establish as Summer Emergency 
        Blood Donor Month: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) a Summer Emergency Blood Donor Month should be 
        established to encourage eligible donors in the United States 
        to donate blood; and
            (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on 
        the people of the United States to observe such a month with 
        appropriate programs and activities, including, in the case of 
        eligible donors, the donation of blood.
                                 &lt;all&gt;

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