08 LC 95
0784
Senate
Resolution 1174
By:
Senators Shafer of the 48th, Chapman of the 3rd, Goggans of the 7th, Unterman of
the 45th, Thomas of the 54th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
the American Red Cross and proclaiming March, 2008, 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 4,300 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 SENATE 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.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the American Red Cross.