THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	62
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

 

recognizing and honoring the life-saving contributions and sacrifices made by organ and tissue donors and their families.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, advancements in medical technology and treatment have enabled us to overcome threats to our health and live longer, healthier lives; and

 

     WHEREAS, innovations in organ and tissue transplant procedures and techniques have helped to save countless lives and improve the quality of life for those in need of such procedures; and

 

     WHEREAS, these procedures are completely dependent on the willingness of individuals to donate their organs and tissue to save others; and

 

     WHEREAS, nationally, over 110,000 people of all ages, including over 400 in Hawaii, sit on waiting lists for life-saving transplants; and

 

     WHEREAS, every 13 minutes another person is added to the national waiting list and every day an average of 17 people perish for lack of an appropriate donor; and

 

     WHEREAS, one donor can enhance the lives of more than 40 persons; and

 

     WHEREAS, over the past 12 years, over 1,000 people in Hawaii have benefited from organ and tissue donations; and

 

     WHEREAS, organ and tissue donors serve as exemplary role models and, whether by their own decisions or decisions made by their families, offer to others "Nā Makana Pau ‘Ole", gifts without end; and
     WHEREAS, the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii and Legacy of Life Hawaii as well as the Hawaii Coalition on Donation have all been steadfast in their support of the Hawaii Donor Family Council and efforts to support donors and donor families; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Donor Family Council has created Hawaii Donor Family Quilts to honor and celebrate those donors whose final gifts live on in others; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Donor Family Council, with the support and encouragement of the Hawaii Lions Eye Bank and Makana Foundation, has also developed a book entitled Nā Makana Pau ‘Ole, that focuses on the Hawaii Donor Family Quilts, in living testament to organ and tissue donors; and

 

     WHEREAS, on April 3, the book entitled Nā Makana Pau ‘Ole will be officially dedicated to the memory and lives of the donors and their families; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature hereby recognizes and honors the contributions and sacrifices made by organ and tissue donors, and their families; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature also recognizes the significant contributions and support provided to donors and their families by organizations such as the Hawaii Donor Family Council, the Hawaii Lions Eye Bank and Makana Foundation, the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, Legacy of Life Hawaii, and the Hawaii Coalition on Donation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature hereby encourages the people of Hawaii to register as organ and tissue donors, and to commit to healthy living; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Hawaii Donor Family Council, the Hawaii Lions Eye Bank and Makana Foundation, the
National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, Legacy of Life Hawaii, and the Hawaii Coalition on Donation.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Organ and Tissue Donation; Commendation