[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 23, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 18041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10174]




[[Page 18039]]


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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 6886--National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, 1996

Proclamation 6887--Jewish Heritage Week, 1996

Proclamation 6888--National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 1996


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 23, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents

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Title 3--
The President

[[Page 18041]]

                Proclamation 6886 of April 19, 1996

                
National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, 
                1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Thousands of lives have been saved by the miracle of 
                organ and tissue transplantation, a medical procedure 
                made possible only by the extraordinary generosity of 
                those who agree to donate and the profound compassion 
                of their loved ones. Recipients are often able to 
                resume normal lives after their transplants, working 
                and caring for their families, and many children are in 
                school today due to a donated liver or bone marrow. 
                Still, the need for organs far exceeds the number 
                donated, and many Americans wait--and some will die 
                waiting--for suitable organs or tissues to become 
                available.

                Although our Nation has a potentially adequate supply 
                of organs and tissues, there are more than 45,000 
                patients on the national transplant waiting list, and 
                some 2,000 new names are added each month. We must 
                educate all Americans about transplantation and its 
                successes and raise public awareness of the urgent need 
                for increased donation. All of our citizens should know 
                that by completing a donor card and carrying it, and 
                particularly by making family members aware of the wish 
                to donate, they may save the health, or even the life, 
                of someone in need.

                Americans are a caring people, and our Nation's 
                citizens have always reached out to one another in 
                times of trouble. Organ donation is a unique example of 
                that spirit of giving, and many who have lost loved 
                ones have found comfort in knowing that their loss 
                means the promise of life for others. This week and 
                throughout the year, let us recognize the advances made 
                in organ and tissue transplant techniques, honor those 
                who have already pledged their organs, and encourage 
                people to make the life-giving decision to donate.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim April 21 through April 27, 
                1996, as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness 
                Week. I call upon health care professionals, educators, 
                the media, public and private organizations concerned 
                with organ donation and transplantation, and all the 
                people of the United States to observe this week with 
                appropriate activities and programs that promote organ 
                donation and invite new donors to get involved.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twentieth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)<Clinton1><Clinton2>

[FR Doc. 96-10174
Filed 4-22-96; 11:20 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P