[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 64 (Monday, May 22, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             RECOGNITION OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOUNDING

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 
anniversary of the founding of the American Red Cross by Clara Barton 
119 years ago. This year's theme, ``We Touch the World,'' describes the 
compassionate direction the Red Cross is taking locally, nationally, 
and internationally.
  After the brutal battle of Solferino near Verona, Italy, Jean Henry 
Durant, a Swiss citizen, formed the International Red Cross in 1863 
with the intent to alleviate suffering and promote public health. The 
first Geneva Convention was signed by 16 nations a year later, adopting 
the red cross as a symbol of neutral aid. Clara Barton recognized the 
importance of the humanitarian efforts of the International Red Cross 
in Europe, and cultivated the fundamental principles of humanity, 
impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and 
universality into what we know today as the American Red Cross. In 
addition to alleviating suffering and promoting public health, Ms. 
Barton also envisioned a need for disaster relief and battlefield 
assistance.
  Founded on May 21, 1881, in Washington, DC, the American Red Cross 
was able to lobby the U.S. Congress to ratify the Geneva Convention, 
providing an official basis to associate with the International Red 
Cross. The U.S. was the 32nd nation to sign the document, agreeing to 
protect the wounded during wartime. Ms. Barton then continued to serve 
the Red Cross as its volunteer president until 1904. Over the last 119 
years, the American Red Cross has not only served Americans and our 
allies during wartime, but has brought help to anyone in need of aid.
  Its thousands of volunteers provide the American Red Cross with the 
tools to carry out its vitally important task in times of need. Behind 
the scenes, in preparation for disaster situations, local Red Cross 
chapters provide their communities with CPR and First Aid classes and 
information on health issues, and promote blood donations to provide 
the medical field with an adequate supply should a crisis arise.
  Just a few years ago, in my home state of Minnesota, the Red Cross 
left its mark by touching the lives of those affected by the floods of 
1997 and the tornadoes that tore through towns in the southern part of 
the state. And during it all, the Minneapolis chapter was without a 
permanent home to help in the disaster relief. Last month, they opened 
their doors, the first permanent location since 1996, to a new facility 
that includes a blood-donor center, space to shelter and feed people in 
case of a disaster, and an emergency operations center with its own 
communications and power systems.
  Mr. President, ninety-one cents of every dollar spent by the American 
Red Cross goes directly to programs and services that help people in 
need. All of the disaster assistance is free, thanks to the generosity 
of donors and volunteers alike. The ratio of volunteer Red Cross 
workers to paid staff is nearly 41 to one. I am honored to have this 
opportunity to commemorate the dedicated work of the late Clara Barton 
and the contributions of all those who continue to carry out her legacy 
in the American Red Cross.

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