HR0394 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0394 LRB099 11978 GRL 34498 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Robert Rogina, a leader in the economic development of Joliet and a philanthropist, passed away on February 28, 2014 at the age of 72 while waiting for an organ donation; and

WHEREAS, Robert Rogina was a civil engineer by trade and an engineer for civic improvement by occupation; he was the founder of Rogina Engineers and Surveyors; he was active with the Rialto Square Theatre, the United Way of Will County, Silver Cross Hospital, Cornerstone Services, the Will County Center for Economic Development, the University of St. Francis, the Rotary Club, the Will-Grundy Counties Home Builders Association, the Will County Community Foundation, and the Three Rivers Manufacturers Association; and

WHEREAS, Over 116,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant and 21 people will die each day waiting for an organ; a person is added to the organ donor waiting list every 10 minutes; and

WHEREAS, One organ donor can save up to 8 lives and let up to 79 people receive organ transplants; a single tissue donor can save or heal up to 50 people; and

WHEREAS, More than 24,000 patients began new lives in 2014 thanks to organ transplants; and

WHEREAS, More than 120 million people in the United States are signed up to be organ, eye, and tissue donors, which is approximately 50% of the United States' adult population; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Illinois should be made aware of the need for organ donors and that everyone can become a donor, regardless of age, race, or medical history; and

WHEREAS, National Donate Life Month takes place every year in April; it features an entire month of local, regional, and national activities to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois should encourage all residents 18 years old and older to register as an organ donor by having an Illinois driver's license or ID card to register for organ donation at their local Secretary of State's facility at the same time they apply for or renew a driver's license or ID card or online; and

WHEREAS, A Organ Donor Registration Month in State of Illinois will promote education and awareness of how citizens can become donors and the importance of being a donor to help save lives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the month of April in 2015 and 2016 as Organ Donor Registration Month in the State of Illinois in honor of Robert Rogina and those who have lost their lives while waiting on a transplant list, to celebrate the lives of those who have been saved through organ donation, and to thank those who have been donors.