[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE GRAND CANYON CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

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                           HON. J.D. HAYWORTH

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2006

  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
the Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross as they celebrate 90 
years of service in Arizona.
  Since 1916, the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter, 
headquartered in Phoenix, is where the people of Arizona come together 
to help one another. The passionate volunteers and staff who make up 
the Grand Canyon Chapter provide care, comfort and lifesaving skills to 
millions of people in Arizona. Volunteers serve their neighbors 
throughout the 10 counties in the northern two-thirds of Arizona, a 
population of 4.5 million.
  Arizonans benefit from programs that provide meaningful assistance 
and lift the spirit of individuals and families throughout our 
communities. The chapter is a leader in water safety instruction. I am 
particularly proud of their ``Water Whiz Kids'' program, which teaches 
backyard pool safety to children and also provides infant and child CPR 
training to their parents.
  Within my district, the Grand Canyon Chapter is there when a disaster 
strikes thousands, and when it strikes only one. In May of this year, 
in the wake of the Tradewinds Apartment fire in Mesa, Red Cross 
volunteers assisted 34 families, served 400 meals, and distributed 125 
comfort kits. Another local emergency response was the Cave Creek 
Complex Fire last year where 36 Red Cross volunteers opened a shelter 
and provided 23 residents with meals and comfort kits.
  The American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter has also played an 
instrumental role in assisting after national disasters outside 
Arizona, including Hurricane Katrina. Last year, over 100 Red Cross 
volunteers from Arizona deployed to the gulf voast to help with the 
disaster response. The Grand Canyon Chapter also operated a national 
call center for disaster victims throughout the country. Impressively, 
with only 30 hours advance notice, the Chapter organized ``Operation 
Good Neighbor Shelter'' at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, helping 
more than 1,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees in our State last year. 
These evacuees were displaced and relocated from the gulf coast, 
suddenly finding themselves hundreds of miles from their homes, yet 
upon their arrival, they were the recipients of the warm ``compassion 
in action'' that exemplifies the Red Cross volunteer and the spirit of 
Arizonans: good neighbors helping new neighbors during drastic times.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me to honor and recognize the 
American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter on its 90th birthday. With 
congratulations and gratitude for the excellent work they do to enrich 
our lives, I am pleased to recognize their service to our communities 
throughout the great State of Arizona.

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