SENATE RESOLUTION
8649



By Senators Pridemore, Ranker, Haugen, Tom, Kastama, Nelson, Harper, Hargrove, Hatfield, Shin, Regala, Fraser, Brown, Eide, White, Rockefeller, Hobbs, Kline, Chase, Prentice, Murray, Kilmer, Sheldon, McAuliffe, Kohl-Welles, Conway, Keiser, Benton, and Roach

     WHEREAS, Many Washington citizens have literally given the gift of life by donating organs, eyes, and tissues; and
     WHEREAS, It is essential that all citizens are aware of the opportunity to save and enhance the lives of others through organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplantation; and
     WHEREAS, There are more than one hundred thousand courageous Americans awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant, with eighteen individuals losing their lives every day because of the shortage of donations; and
     WHEREAS, Every thirteen minutes a person is added to the national organ donation waiting list; and
     WHEREAS, The organ, eye, and tissue donation from one individual can save or enhance the lives of over fifty people; and
     WHEREAS, Families receive comfort through the grieving process with the knowledge that through organ, eye, and tissue donation another person's life has been saved or enhanced; and
     WHEREAS, Organ donation offers the recipients a second chance at life, enabling them to be with their families and maintain a higher quality of life; and
     WHEREAS, Through organ, eye, and tissue donation a donor and donor's family receive gratitude from the recipient's family and is honored by the enhancement of the recipient's life; and
     WHEREAS, The example set by those who choose to donate reflects the character and compassion of these individuals, whose voluntary choice saves the lives of others;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize April as National Donate Life Month as declared by the Governor and honor those who have donated and celebrate the lives of the recipients.

I, Thomas Hoemann, Secretary of the Senate,
do hereby certify that this is a true and
correct copy of Senate Resolution 8649,
adopted by the Senate
April 9, 2011



THOMAS HOEMANN
Secretary of the Senate