American Red Cross Month, 2005

Proclamation 7871 of February 28, 2005

American Red Cross Month, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans have a long history of rising to meet
humanitarian challenges, and the American Red Cross is
a leader in these efforts. Since 1881, the American Red
Cross has met disaster with compassion and courage.
During American Red Cross Month, we honor this
dedication and reaffirm the importance of volunteering
time and contributing resources to make our communities
and the world better.

From offering blood drives and lifesaving courses to
providing disaster relief services at home and abroad,
American Red Cross employees and volunteers work
countless hours to care for those in need and serve a
cause greater than self. As a result of the recent
tsunami in the Indian Ocean, over 150,000 lives were
lost and many more were left homeless and without food
and water. The American Red Cross swiftly dispatched
relief workers to assist those affected, and to
distribute supplies, counsel survivors, and help people
return home.

Here at home, the American Red Cross helps support our
troops by transmitting emergency messages to members of
the Armed Forces and their families. In this past year,
the Red Cross has also contributed significantly to
relief efforts for hurricanes in Florida, flooding in
Western Pennsylvania, wildfires in the Western United
States, and mudslides in California. These good works
provide hope and healing to those dealing with profound
loss and demonstrate the character of the American Red
Cross.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America and Honorary Chairman of the
American Red Cross, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim March 2005 as American Red
Cross Month. I commend the efforts of American Red
Cross employees and volunteers, and I encourage all
Americans to donate their time, energy, and talents to
support this organization's humanitarian mission.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord
two thousand five, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B