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From: Fred Goodwin, CMA on 26 Sep 2007 17:16
Walls' act of kindness sparks act of Congress

<http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-09-26-walls-
congress_N.htm>
http://tinyurl.com/ytzs6f

Sept. 26, 2007
By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON - Everson Walls never imagined when he broke into the NFL
with the Dallas Cowboys in 1981 that the road would lead to Capitol
Hill.

But the former defensive back, who donated a kidney to former teammate
Ron Springs in February, was among a half-dozen expert witnesses
testifying Tuesday before a House subcommittee examining ways to
increase awareness and support for organ donation.

HR 3635, proposed by Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr., D-Mo., even bears
Walls' name. The act, which seeks to establish a national resource
center and authorize grants for organ-transplant needs, is cited as
the Everson Walls and Ron Springs Gift for Life Act of 2007.

"The respect they're giving me in allowing me to get my word out there
is gratifying," said Walls, who, with Springs, has established a
foundation to promote organ transplants. Springs, recovering and in
physical therapy, was unable to attend the first in a series of
hearings regarding the issue. Added Walls: "They talk about politics
making strange bedfellows. I'm here talking to a lot of Republicans,
and I'm a Democrat."

Walls, who started at safety for the victorious New York Giants in
Super Bowl XXV, said he was a bit nervous sharing with lawmakers his
perspective as a donor - which included his difficulty in obtaining
life insurance after pledging to donate.

"I felt a little sweat," he said. "But it's still nothing compared to
covering Roy Green one-on-one when there's a max blitz called. Now
that was a difficult project."

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