AJR135: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-5588/1

CMH:amn

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 135

February 13, 2020 - Introduced by Representatives Ballweg, Sargent, Tittl, Allen, Anderson, Brostoff, Cabrera, Crowley, Dittrich, Duchow, Emerson, Hebl, Hesselbein, Horlacher, Kolste, Kulp, Magnafici, Milroy, Mursau, L. Myers, Pope, Rohrkaste, Shankland, Sinicki, Spreitzer, Stubbs, Tauchen, C. Taylor, Thiesfeldt, Tranel, Tusler, Vruwink, Wittke, Subeck and Considine, cosponsored by Senators Darling, Bewley, Carpenter, Jacque, Nass, Ringhand, Risser, Schachtner, Smith, L. Taylor and Marklein. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR135,1,1 Relating to: proclaiming April 2020 as Donate Life Month in the state of Wisconsin.

AJR135,1,4 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

AJR135,1,8 Whereas, the list of people awaiting organ transplants in Wisconsin numbers nearly 1,900 names, about half of whom have waited more than two years, and nationally, over 112,000 individuals are on the national organ transplant waiting list; and

AJR135,1,10 Whereas, every ten minutes, another man, woman, or child is added to the national transplant waiting list; and

AJR135,1,12 Whereas, there were 751 transplants performed in Wisconsin in 2019 from the generosity of 436 donors and donor families; and

AJR135,1,14 Whereas, despite the success of current efforts, 22 people die each day waiting for a donor organ; and

AJR135,2,3 Whereas, up to 175,000 people each year are diagnosed with leukemia or other blood diseases, and approximately 120,000 will not find a marrow donor match within their family and must rely upon the generosity of strangers; and

AJR135,2,6 Whereas, nearly 32,000 units of blood are used in the United States every day, and blood supply reserves are often low because only 10 percent of the population donates blood regularly; and

AJR135,2,9 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 75 recipients; and

AJR135,2,11 Whereas, almost every individual, regardless of age, is a potential organ, tissue, bone marrow, or blood donor; and

AJR135,2,13 Whereas, transplantation has become an element of mainstream medicine to prolong and enhance life; now, therefore, be it

AJR135,2,16 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin Legislature proclaim April 2020 as Donate Life Month in the state of Wisconsin, and commend this observance to all citizens; and, be it further

AJR135,2,21 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 in English or Spanish at the Wisconsin donor registry, DonorRegistry.Wisconsin.gov, or through the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles, and to discuss such a decision with their families and friends; and, be it further

AJR135,2,23 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Donate Life Wisconsin, Inc.

AJR135,2,24 (End)