SJR17: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-2076/1

SRM:eev:jm

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Senate JOINT RESOLUTION 17

April 5, 2013 - Introduced by Senator Olsen, cosponsored by Representative Ballweg. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.

SJR17,1,1 Relating to: declaring April 2013 Donate Life Month.

SJR17,1,4 Whereas, each year since 2003 during the month of April we recognize the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donation and honor those individuals who have donated life; and

SJR17,1,8   Whereas, the list of people awaiting organ transplants in Wisconsin numbers more than 2,100 names, more than half of whom have waited more than a year, and nationally more than 117,000 individuals are on the organ transplant waiting list at any given time; and

SJR17,1,10   Whereas, every 12 minutes another man, woman, or child is added to the national transplant waiting list; and

SJR17,1,12   Whereas, there were 700 transplants performed in Wisconsin in 2011 from the generosity of 346 donors and donor families; and

SJR17,1,14   Whereas, despite the success of current efforts, 18 people die each day waiting for a donor organ; and

SJR17,2,3   Whereas, up to 30,000 people each year are diagnosed with leukemia or other blood diseases and approximately 20,000 will not find a marrow donor match within their family and must rely upon the generosity of strangers; and

SJR17,2,6   Whereas, nearly 32,000 units of blood are used in the United States every day and blood supply reserves are often low because only 5 percent of the population donates blood regularly; and

SJR17,2,9   Whereas, a single individual's donation of heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine can save up to eight lives, and donation of tissue can help save or enhance the lives of as many as 50 recipients; and

SJR17,2,11   Whereas, almost every individual regardless of age is a potential organ, tissue, bone marrow, or blood donor; and

SJR17,2,13   Whereas, transplantation has become an element of mainstream medicine that prolongs and enhances life; now, therefore, be it

SJR17,2,16 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature proclaim April 2013 as Donate Life Month in the state of Wisconsin, and commend this observance to all citizens; and, be it further

SJR17,2,21 Resolved, That the members of the legislature call upon our citizens to learn about the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation, to sign up to be a donor at the Wisconsin donor registry at www.DonorRegistry.Wisconsin.gov or through the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles, and to discuss such decision with their families and friends; and, be it further

SJR17,2,23 Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Donate Life Wisconsin, Inc.

SJR17,2,24 (End)