08 LC 33
2467
House
Resolution 1428
By:
Representatives Gardner of the
57th,
Ashe of the
56th,
Cheokas of the
134th,
Wilkinson of the
52nd,
Lindsey of the
54th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
the American Red Cross and proclaiming March, 2008, American Red Cross Month in
Georgia and inviting its representatives to appear before the House of
Representatives; 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 4,300 Georgia families following 3,100 disasters such as
home fires, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes; and
WHEREAS,
the Red Cross is saving lives in Georgia every day – last year alone, Red
Cross Blood Services collected more than 285,700 pints of blood from Georgia
blood donors, who in turn saved up to 857,000 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 166,000 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 21,600 of Georgia´s military families send emergency
messages, get financial assistance, find counseling and get referrals, and
briefed 49,000 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.
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, 2008, American Red
Cross Month and call upon all citizens to support and honor this organization
and recognize its proud heritage of service and invite its representatives to
appear before the House of Representatives on a day and at a time designated by
the Speaker of the House of Representatives.