[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 49 (Friday, March 26, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2159-S2160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            RED CROSS MONTH

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I wish today to join with the American 
Red Cross and elebrate March as American Red Cross Month. Throughout 
the history of this organization, the American Red Cross has 
demonstrated not only their fierce and patriotic loyalty to this 
country and our needs but to those abroad as well.
  This year, many of our brothers and sisters worldwide have 
experienced extreme devastation. The earthquakes in Haiti and Chile 
showed us not only how fragile life can be but the importance of 
humanitarian response to those in need.
  Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a Russian novelist, historian, and Nobel 
Laureate for literature knew the power of our interconnectedness as it 
relates to our own humanity. He said, ``The salvation of mankind lies 
only in making everything the concern of all.''
  No other organization embodies this philosophy more than the American 
Red Cross and of the vision articulated by Clara Barton, founder of 
this wonderful organization that has helped countless individuals--both 
domestic and abroad--in times of crisis.
  Whether comforting a wounded soldier during battle, assisting those 
who are recovering from a natural disaster, or administering life-
saving blood to a sick patient, the American Red Cross is there, never 
wavering but standing steadfast in the service to humanity.
  This year especially, they have been ever vigilant in remaining true 
to the humanitarian nature of their organization. In Haiti, the Red 
Cross distributions of food and relief supplies continue throughout 
urban settlements and are reaching approximately 12,500 people each 
day. To date, nearly 27,000 people have been vaccinated in the 
coordinated immunization campaign, in which the Red Cross health care 
units and the Haitian National Red Cross Society are participating. The 
American Red Cross has provided approximately $375,000 in operational 
funding for this campaign.
  In Chile, the American Red Cross has increased the funds committed 
from its International Response Fund to $250,000 in support of Red 
Cross response operations. It will be contributing these funds toward 
the International Federation's emergency appeal. Additionally, the 
International Federation has announced a disaster plan of action and 
funding in the amount of $6.4 million to support Chilean Red Cross 
relief operations to assist 75,000 people for 6 months in the areas of 
shelter, water and sanitation, health and telecommunications. This is 
in addition to $280,000 released from its Disaster Response Emergency 
Fund.
  Like the national headquarters of the American Red Cross, I am 
extremely proud of our Kansas chapters of the American Red Cross 
organizations and volunteers. From respnding to our own State's natural 
disasters, to providing programs to our troops such as the Holiday Mail 
for Heroes Program to providing much needed health and wellness 
courses--these individuals are

[[Page S2160]]

the bedrock upon our local Kansas communities.
  Since 1943, every President of the United States has proclaimed March 
as American Red Cross Month and in turn, the organization uses this 
month to promote the services provided to the public each and every 
day. Communities depend on the Red Cross in times of need, the Red 
Cross depends on the support of the public to achieve its mission.
  I am pleased to join with the Red Cross and highlight the courageous 
work that this organization has accomplished for more than 128 years 
and continues to accomplish this day. I would also like to take this 
opportunity to salute all of the tireless volunteers of this 
organization known as ``Red Crossers'' who for many, have been involved 
in their communities for 10, 20, even 80 years.
  It is very fitting that we celebrate March as American Red Cross 
Month and continue to advance the principles of this very essential 
organization.

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