06-R 111

2006 -- H 7845

Enacted 03/07/06

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2006 AS

"AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH"

Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Slater, Williams, Ginaitt, and Sullivan

Date Introduced: March 07, 2006

     WHEREAS, Each year during the month of March we formally recognize the American

Red Cross and its essential humanitarian role in Rhode Island. This year, as we celebrate the 125th

anniversary of the first American Red Cross, we honor the organization's contribution to making

Rhode Island and America stronger, safer, and healthier; and

     WHEREAS, Since 1915, the American Red Cross in Rhode Island has led the effort to

prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters. It has provided a means for compassionate people

to give their time and talent freely to help prevent and ease human suffering among friends,

neighbors, and even strangers; and

     WHEREAS, The year 2005 presented unprecedented challenges. The year began with an

almost unimaginable tsunami, a deadly event spanning an ocean and thousands of miles. The

hurricanes of 2005, including Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, dwarfed even the intense Florida

hurricanes of 2004, destroying communities and uprooting families, many of whom relocated to

Rhode Island. Floods ravaged parts of our state, and winter house fires uprooted families in our

cities and towns. Never have so many of our neighbors needed the help of the American Red

Cross more, and in so many ways; and

     WHEREAS, Through it all, the citizens of Rhode Island made contributions to fund the

cost of providing immediate relief to hundreds of victims, learned CPR to enable them to be

ready to save lives of friends, neighbors, and strangers, and volunteered their time to help those in

need; and

     WHEREAS, Major disasters dominated the headlines in 2005, and the American Red

Cross, Rhode Island Chapter, helped 416 families impacted by local emergencies in Rhode

Island, assisted 451 military families, and trained 17,236 people in lifesaving skills such as CPR

and first aid. Red Cross volunteers were there to bring aid, information, and, just as importantly,

comfort to those in need. To the Red Cross, "there are no small disasters, only neighbors in need";

and

     WHEREAS, The Red Cross and its thousands of volunteers and donors in Rhode Island

provide valuable tools and education to individuals, families, workplaces, and schools, making us

all stronger and more resilient; and

     WHEREAS, As we celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of the American Red

Cross to building a better quality of life in Rhode Island, we must do our part to ensure that the

Red Cross remains vital, and ready to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to the unknown

challenges that lie ahead; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims March 2006 as "American Red Cross Month" in the

State of Rhode Island and urge all Rhode Islanders to continue to give their time, blood and

money, to make a difference in the humanitarian fabric of our community, because when we help

the American Red Cross, we help each other; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Red Cross.

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LC02689

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