[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 41 (Friday, March 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             SUPPORTING GOALS AND IDEALS OF RED CROSS MONTH

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                               speech of

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2010

  Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
one of our Nation's outstanding service organizations, the American Red 
Cross.
  The American Red Cross has been at the forefront of disaster 
preparedness and response for more than a century. Since its formation 
in 1881, the foundation has established itself as one of the most 
effective and recognizable disaster relief organizations in the world. 
In President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first Presidential Declaration in 
1943, he requested that ``people rededicate themselves to the splendid 
aims and activities of the Red Cross'' each March. We have an 
opportunity this month to continue this tradition, and recognize the 
essential role the Red Cross plays in our communities.
  Over 600,000 Red Cross volunteers provide shelter, food, health, and 
mental health services for more than 70,000 natural and manmade 
disasters every year. Additionally, the Red Cross provides blood to 
disaster victims, helps those affected to access other available 
resources, and assists concerned family members outside the disaster 
area.
  Whether it is a hurricane or a single-family home fire, the American 
Red Cross is there. During the past year, the local Red Cross Chapter 
helped 500 Nassau County residents who were displaced by floods or 
fires. The timely response to these small-scale, but devastating 
disasters is one of the Red Cross' most invaluable humanitarian 
services.
  Large-scale disasters also demonstrate the Red Cross' successes. 
Since the January 12th earthquake in Haiti, the Red Cross has provided 
assistance to more than 1.9 million people in that country, and will 
continue to aid hundreds more in the months ahead. In addition to the 
ongoing, large-scale response to Haiti, the Red Cross plans to assist 
15,000 families affected by the recent earthquake in Chile with 
shelter, emergency medical care, and water and sanitation services.
  The employees of the Red Cross, the tireless and dedicated work of 
volunteers, and the thousands of citizens who donate to support these 
relief efforts epitomize the altruism and community spirit of the 
American people. I join with my colleagues to recognize the Red Cross, 
and once again thank the organization's staff and volunteers for all of 
their continued assistance to American communities.

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