[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 136 (Monday, October 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2155-E2156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IN GREATER NEW YORK AND ITS 
     CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION HONOREE, FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 24, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the American Red Cross in 
Greater New York (ARC/GNY), which held its centennial celebration on 
October 20, 2005. At this wonderful event, the ARC/GNY honored former 
President Bill Clinton for his leadership of humanitarian efforts in 
war and disease-ravaged areas throughout the world. I trust that the 
members of this chamber will join me in recognizing the tremendous 
efforts of both the New York Red Cross and our former President to 
relieve suffering both here in the United States and in the 
international community.
  Though the International Red Cross has roots that stretch back to the 
mid-nineteenth century, the first Red Cross Chapter in New York City 
was established in Brooklyn in 1905. Since its founding, the New York 
Red Cross has played a leadership role in many of the most significant 
events of our time. In 1911, a fire destroyed the Triangle Shirtwaist 
Factory in Manhattan, killing 145 workers. Fortunately, the New York 
Red Cross was there to provide support and financial assistance to 
victims and their families. The following year, Red Cross volunteers 
assisted hundreds of survivors of the Titanic disaster, as well.
  New York Red Cross volunteers also played important roles in both 
World Wars, feeding soldiers traveling to Europe and the Pacific, 
recruiting nurses and doctors, supplying medical equipment and 
clothing, and, perhaps most significantly, organizing and staffing 
hospitals overseas in support of the Army's medical program. In 1959, 
the American Red Cross in Greater New York was founded,

[[Page E2156]]

bringing together Red Cross chapters from each of New York City's five 
boroughs.
  This year, the American Red Cross is leading much-needed efforts to 
assist those whose lives were upended by Hurricane Katrina. Since the 
hurricane made landfall, the Red Cross has provided shelter, food and 
more than $300 million to nearly 500,000 families. The ARC/GNY, for its 
part, has sent more than 100 trained staff members and volunteers to 
the Gulf Coast region, operated the largest Red Cross call center in 
the nation and sheltered nearly a thousand displaced families. All the 
while, the ARC/GNY continues to respond to tragedies closer to home: On 
average, the organization helps New Yorkers recover from eight fires, 
floods, building collapses and other disasters each day.
  It is fitting that the staff, friends and volunteers of the New York 
Red Cross have chosen to honor another devoted humanitarian, President 
Bill Clinton. Since leaving office, President Clinton has devoted 
himself to helping underprivileged people around the world, in 
particular assisting those afflicted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa 
and the Asian tsunami disaster. During his tenure in the White House, 
Clinton presided over an economy that added 22 million jobs, worked 
with allies to put an end to ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Kosovo, and 
played a major role in securing a meaningful and lasting peace in 
Northern Ireland.
  Mr. Speaker, I request that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 
work of both the Red Cross in Greater New York and President Bill 
Clinton to help families displaced by disasters, war and disease. I am 
delighted to offer the ARC/GNY and President Clinton my very best 
wishes for many more decades of service to the neediest.

                          ____________________