WHEREAS, Many Washington citizens have literally given the gift of life by donating organs, eyes, and tissue; and

WHEREAS, It is essential that all citizens are aware of the opportunity to save and heal the lives of others through organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplantation; and

WHEREAS, There are more than one hundred twenty thousand courageous Americans awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant, with twenty-two individuals losing their lives every day because of the shortage of donations; and

WHEREAS, Every ten minutes, a person is added to the national organ transplant waiting list; and

WHEREAS, One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and heal many more through cornea and tissue donation; 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, The families of organ, eye, and tissue donors receive gratitude from grateful recipients whose lives have been enhanced by transplantation; 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 honor April as National Donate Life Month to remember those who have donated, and celebrate the lives of the recipients.

I, Hunter G. Goodman, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8718,

adopted by the Senate

March 3, 2016

HUNTER G. GOODMAN

Secretary of the Senate