American Red Cross Month, 2004

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Part V

The President

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Proclamation 7759--American Red Cross Month, 2004

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7759 of March 3, 2004

American Red Cross Month, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara
Barton and chartered by the Congress in 1905 to provide
humanitarian services to the United States in times of
need. Today, the Red Cross remains dedicated to
relieving suffering by helping our citizens prepare for
and respond to emergencies and natural disasters.

The Red Cross exemplifies one of the great strengths of
America--the compassion of our people. Each year, the
Red Cross responds to tens of thousands of disasters in
the United States, from home fires and earthquakes to
tornadoes and chemical spills. In Afghanistan and Iraq,
the Red Cross is serving military families by
delivering emergency messages between deployed members
of our Armed Forces and their families. Through
International Response Teams, the Red Cross provides
vital aid overseas to the victims of disease, famine,
war, and natural disasters. The Red Cross also educates
individuals, families, schools, businesses, and
communities about the importance of disaster
preparedness, especially after the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001. By offering health and safety
training such as first aid, CPR, and aquatic
lifesaving, and by facilitating the collection of
millions of units of blood for donation, the Red Cross
helps our country to handle emergencies.

Many of the essential services of the American Red
Cross are provided by volunteers who give their time
and energy to help fellow citizens in need. During Red
Cross relief operations, these volunteers assess
damages, drive emergency response vehicles to
distribute food and other supplies to people, and
shelter families who have been evacuated from their
homes. As we celebrate American Red Cross Month, I
encourage all Americans to commit themselves to helping
others by volunteering in their communities.

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 2004 as American Red
Cross Month. I urge all Americans to support this
organization's humanitarian mission. On behalf of a
grateful Nation, we also applaud the selfless
dedication of Red Cross employees and volunteers.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B