PRINTER'S NO. 2388
No. 276 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY SAYLOR, McNAUGHTON, E. Z. TAYLOR, FARGO, SEYFERT,
ROSS, McGILL, PIPPY, TRELLO, CAPPABIANCA, BELARDI, WAUGH,
MASLAND, HERSHEY, CLARK, YOUNGBLOOD, PLATTS, MELIO, READSHAW,
LEDERER, SCHULER, SANTONI, PESCI, COY, BAKER, STURLA, OLASZ,
BOSCOLA, JOSEPHS, WALKO, BELFANTI, PETRARCA, PISTELLA,
HENNESSEY, MILLER, RUBLEY, MANDERINO, McGEEHAN, GEIST,
SCHRODER, HERMAN, FAIRCHILD, ORIE, STABACK, C. WILLIAMS,
BROWNE, M. COHEN, RAMOS, L. I. COHEN, LAUGHLIN, BENNINGHOFF,
LYNCH, J. TAYLOR, FLICK AND TIGUE, OCTOBER 8, 1997
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, OCTOBER 8, 1997
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the
2 United States Postal Service to consider and recommend to the
3 United States Postal Service Board of Governors the issuance
4 of a "Gift of Life" commemorative stamp to encourage organ
5 and tissue donation.
6 WHEREAS, Organ and tissue donation is a national health care
7 crisis; and
8 WHEREAS, In 1995, 46,000 cornea transplants and 19,950 organ
9 transplants were performed; and
10 WHEREAS, As of February 28, 1997, 44,540 people are waiting
11 on organ donor lists, with 12 people dying each day waiting for
12 donor organs; and
13 WHEREAS, More than 12 years have passed in the effort to
14 convince the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the United
15 States Postal Service of the worth and value of issuing a
16 commemorative stamp to honor organ and tissue donation; and
1 WHEREAS, In excess of one-half million signatures have been
2 collected in support of the issuance of a commemorative stamp;
3 and
4 WHEREAS, Since stamps are being issued freely for such images
5 as cartoon characters and movies stars, it is appropriate to
6 recognized the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor;
7 and
8 WHEREAS, The United States Postal Service has issued stamps
9 to help build awareness of serious social and health issues such
10 as breast cancer and alcohol and literacy awareness over the
11 years; and
12 WHEREAS, A commemorative stamp would provide standing as
13 official recognition of the value of becoming an organ and
14 tissue donor; and
15 WHEREAS, The use and circulation of the "Gift of Life"
16 commemorative stamp would serve as a timely reminder to register
17 as an organ and tissue donor; and
18 WHEREAS, By increasing public awareness about organ donation,
19 the wait for a transplant will be shortened and lives will be
20 saved; therefore be it
21 RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
22 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania memorialize the Citizens'
23 Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States Postal Service to
24 consider and recommend to the United States Postal Service Board
25 of Governors the issuance of a "Gift of Life" commemorative
26 stamp to encourage organ and tissue donation; and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the United States Postal Service Board of
28 Governors include the "Gift of Life" commemorative stamp in its
29 list of stamps to be issued in 1998; and be it further
30 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
19970H0276R2388 - 2 -
1 the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States
2 Postal Service.
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