THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY SOLOBAY, MARSHALL, BAKER, BELFANTI, BEYER, BOYD, BRADFORD, BRIGGS, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CONKLIN, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, J. EVANS, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GRELL, GRUCELA, HARHART, HARKINS, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, JOHNSON, KAUFFMAN, KILLION, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, BEAR, MANN, MARKOSEK, MARSICO, MATZIE, McCALL, McGEEHAN, MELIO, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MOUL, MUNDY, MURT, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PARKER, PAYNE, PEIFER, PHILLIPS, READSHAW, REED, REICHLEY, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SEIP, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, M. SMITH, STABACK, STERN, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TALLMAN, THOMAS, TRUE, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATERS, WATSON AND WHITE, FEBRUARY 9, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 9, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of March 2010 as "American Red Cross

Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross fulfills a unique and vital

role in this Commonwealth and around the world, providing help

and hope in the face of emergencies and disaster, and is a true

reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit of the

American people; and

WHEREAS, For nearly 100 years, presidents have called on the

American people to support the Red Cross and its humanitarian

mission; and

WHEREAS, In World War I, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the

Red Cross to raise funds to support emergency aid to the

military and in less than six weeks, the organization collected

a total of nearly $146 million, a tribute to the overwhelming

generosity of the American public; and

WHEREAS, In 1943, during World War II, President Franklin D.

Roosevelt started the tradition of proclaiming March as Red

Cross Month and designating it as a time to recognize and

support the valuable work of the American Red Cross by making a

financial contribution, donating blood, taking a lifesaving

class or volunteering to help the Red Cross perform its mission;

and

WHEREAS, Currently, more than 400 Red Cross workers, more

than 100 representing the American Red Cross, from at least 30

countries are in Haiti to help the thousands of local volunteers

with earthquake relief efforts; and

WHEREAS, Every day, through its network of 848 employees and

39,705 volunteers in more than 46 locations across this

Commonwealth, the American Red Cross is there to lend a helping

hand whenever disaster strikes; and

WHEREAS, The Red Cross connects military families with their

loved ones in service and provides training in CPR, aquatics

safety and first aid, spreading humanitarian aid and goodwill to

people around the world; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania depends on the American Red Cross and,

because it is not a government agency, the Red Cross depends on

support from the public to continue its humanitarian work,

especially important in these challenging economic times;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of March 2010 as "American Red Cross Month" in

Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the

American Red Cross and all of its employees and volunteers for

their service and dedication to the communities and residents of

this Commonwealth.