hr235.html
07 LC 33 1842
House Resolution 235
By: Representatives Gardner of the 57th, Ashe of the 56th, and Manning of the 32nd

A RESOLUTION


Commending the American Red Cross and proclaiming March, 2007, American Red Cross Month in Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross plays a vital humanitarian role in Georgia and is the organization through which tens of thousands of our caring citizens – "Hometown Heroes" – give freely of their time, talent, money, and blood to help ease and prevent human suffering and to save lives in our state, the nation, and the world; and

WHEREAS, the Red Cross, though not a government agency itself, collaborates with Georgia´s emergency planning community to respond to disasters of all types and, last year, provided food, clothing, shelter, first aid, health care, and counseling to more than 4,500 Georgia families following 3,300 disasters such as home fires, floods, and tornadoes, while continuing to help the many Gulf Coast families who are rebuilding their lives in our state following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and

WHEREAS, the Red Cross is saving lives in Georgia every day – last year alone, Red Cross Blood Services collected more than 300,800 pints of blood from Georgia blood donors, who in turn saved up to 902,000 lives through their selfless generosity; and

WHEREAS, last year, the Red Cross training in programs such as first aid, CPR, use of an AED, and Water Safety gave more than 188,000 of our citizens the confidence and skills they need to respond to life-threatening emergencies; and

WHEREAS, as part of its humanitarian mission, the Red Cross provides the only world-wide communications link between service members and their loved ones, and last year, the Red Cross helped 20,700 of Georgia´s military families send emergency messages, get financial assistance, find counseling and get referrals, and briefed 42,700 family members on services available to them; and
WHEREAS, preparedness is a vital part of the Red Cross mission, and the Red Cross, in partnership with state and local agencies, is helping Georgia´s families become safer, healthier, and better prepared for the unexpected, whether natural disasters, manmade threats, or health emergencies such as a pandemic flu outbreak; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that this body recognize and celebrate the contributions of Georgia´s Hometown Heroes – Red Cross volunteers, donors, partners, and employees, including those who are visiting the capitol on March 15, 2007.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of the body join the President of the United States, the Governor of Georgia, and government officials across the country in proclaiming March, 2007, American Red Cross Month and call upon all citizens to support and honor this organization and recognize its proud heritage of service.