[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 100 (Tuesday, June 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1244-E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING SOUTH CENTRAL CONNECTICUT CHAPTER 703 OF THE AMERICAN RED 
             CROSS AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 75TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2008

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, there are few organizations whose name is 
synonymous with compassion, care, and community service. The American 
Red Cross is one of those few. Today, in my hometown of New Haven, 
Connecticut, South Central Connecticut Chapter 703 celebrates its 75th 
anniversary. Quite a remarkable milestone for this organization and our 
community. It is with the greatest pride that I rise today to pay 
tribute to this outstanding organization, its extraordinary membership, 
and the many invaluable contributions they have made to our community, 
our state, and our Nation.
  Brought together by its first chairman, William Farnam, the South 
Central Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross was established 
in April 1906. The earliest records indicate that this group of 
volunteers were gathering supplies for Serbia as well as provisions for 
charitable groups throughout Greater New Haven. Shortly after our 
entrance into World War I, classes in home nursing were started as well 
as first aid programs, home services, and a corps charged with making 
surgical dressings. These were all volunteers--a remarkable achievement 
when you consider the demands brought on by the war. In fact, records 
from 1918 show that the Surgical Dressings department worked in an area 
that accommodated 1,200 workers and that in that same year, their 
fundraising drive included 4,000 women dressed in white, parading for 
the cause.
  One of the greatest contributions of the South Central Connecticut 
Chapter was the role of one of their most distinguished members in the 
development and implementation of the present day statewide Blood 
Program. The National Red Cross pioneered the Blood Program in 1936 and 
during World War II the Army and Navy put out a call for donations. G. 
Gordon Copeland was the Chapter's assistant treasurer in 1942 and is 
credited with initiating the Regional Blood Program in 1950. He was 
chosen to represent the National Red Cross at the Centenary Congress in 
Geneva and served on Connecticut's Advisory Board for many years. He 
would certainly be proud that in Connecticut, where there are no 
commercial blood banks, is one of only 3 states in the Nation with an 
entirely free, entirely volunteer program.
  In 1955, the Chapter had little chance to celebrate the purchase of 
the ``Verdi House''--what would become their permanent home on Whitney 
Avenue--before the most disastrous flood in Connecticut's history came 
upon the State, paralyzing many communities. Always at the ready, the 
Chapter's offices were open 24 hours a day for 4 days and then for the 
following 2 weeks all personnel were on 24-hour call. Providing for 
30,000 Connecticut residents, the Chapter moved 7 seaworthy boats into 
service, and 1,000 disaster workers faced the challenge--gathering 
generators, short wave radio equipment, food, clothing, water,

[[Page E1245]]

cots, blankets and medical equipment. Their quick action earned them 
the highest complement from then Governor Abraham Ribicoff when he 
described their endeavors as ``a model of humanitarian relief.''
  Today, the South Central Connecticut Chapter of the American Red 
Cross boasts a volunteer base of more than 3,000 and its programs and 
services stretch far beyond the Blood Program and disaster relief 
efforts. They offer preventative programs such as swimming lessons for 
children, first aid and CPR training, and workshops that help parents 
identify dangers in the home. Our children are introduced to citizenry 
and community service through their Youth Program and the Social 
Service Department offers counsel and assistance to veterans, seniors, 
and those most in need. As they celebrate their 75th anniversary, the 
South Central Chapter of the American Red Cross not only reflects on 
past accomplishments but looks to what they can achieve in the future. 
This extraordinary volunteer organization has become an integral part 
of our community--their innumerable contributions touching countless 
lives. It is my privilege to rise today to extend my heartfelt 
congratulations to the organization and its many members, past and 
present, on this very special occasion.

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