Resolution Supporting Organ Donation Education Exposed

The Resolution Supporting Organ Donation Education was adopted by ALEC's Health and Human Services Task Force and approved by the ALEC Board of Directors in 2001. ALEC has attempted to distance itself from this piece of legislation after the launch of ALECexposed.org in 2011, but it has done nothing to get it repealed in the states where it previously pushed for it to be made into law.

ALEC Resolution Text

Whereas, the medical breakthrough of organ donation has given new life to over 230,000 Americans and greatly enhanced the life of countless others; and

Whereas, new prescription drugs recently introduced on the market have proven so effective that over 80 percent of those receiving organ transplants live beyond the one-year benchmark for success, and the long term success rates of organ donation have steadily improved every year; and

Whereas, there are over 77,000 citizens who are currently awaiting transplants in the United States; and

Whereas, currently on average, 15 persons in this country die every day awaiting an organ transplant who could have lived productive lives if the necessary organ with the proper tissue type was available; and

Whereas, recent polls show that over 93 percent of Americans support an increase in organ donation; and

Whereas, the state of Wisconsin has passed legislation to create the most comprehensive organ donation education program in the nation; and

Whereas, the Wisconsin program includes such basic education in the Drivers’ Education and Health classes and has prepared the most extensive educational documents including videos, workbooks and slides explaining the benefits of organ donation and removing the myths of organ donation; and

Whereas, as a result of Wisconsin’s hard work and visionary attitude in creating the organ donation education program, the people of Wisconsin have seen dramatic results in the number of organs donated.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the {insert state legislative body} recognizes the life-saving benefits of increasing organ donor awareness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that {insert state} seeks to implement a life-saving organ donor awareness program via its driver’s education curriculum.

Adopted by the HHS Task Force and approved by the ALEC Board of Directors in 2001.