[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 106 (Thursday, July 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CAPE, ISLANDS AND 
       SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

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                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2015

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th 
anniversary of the Cape, Islands and Southeast Massachusetts Chapter of 
the American Red Cross.
   Established in 1915, this Chapter of the American Red Cross of 
Massachusetts has served as a lifeline within our community--responding 
to the needs of residents and visitors alike by providing food, shelter 
and other disaster assistance in emergencies, teaching lifesaving 
skills, and organizing blood drives. The Cape, Islands, and Southeast 
Chapter reaches a population of more than 1.2 million people across 
Barnstable, Bristol, Plymouth, Nantucket and Dukes counties and saves 
millions more from suffering the harm or loss of a loved one.
   The American Red Cross of Massachusetts has served as a pillar for 
our community through the world's most trying times and through local 
and regional challenges. During the First World War, the Red Cross 
notably sent nurses to treat recovering soldiers and undertook 
initiatives such as knitting over 90,000 pairs of socks and treating 
the sick infected with influenza during the height of the epidemic. In 
1955 when Hurricanes Edna, Carol and Hazel hit Massachusetts the 
Chapter provided shelter and food services to over 200 people across 
Cape Cod. By 1991, the number of people it was able to provide shelter 
to had increased to 17,000. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks the 
Chapter's blood drives was inundated with willing volunteers that 
individuals were asked to return at a later date. Chapter volunteers 
responded once again when Hurricane Katrina struck the shores of the 
southern United States by sending volunteers down to the areas hardest 
hit. And, most recently, when tragedy struck closer to home at the 
Boston Marathon in 2013, Chapter volunteers were quick to become 
involved in relief efforts.
   Furthermore, this Chapter has a global reach. Volunteers have gone 
on to serve in the International Red Cross across the globe, from war-
torn Afghanistan to impoverished African nations. Chapter volunteers 
exemplify the Red Cross' mission to prevent and alleviate human 
suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of 
volunteers and the generosity of donors. I am proud of the work they 
have done in Southeast Massachusetts and beyond.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 100th 
anniversary of the Cape, Islands and Southeast Massachusetts Chapter of 
the American Red Cross. I take comfort knowing that this Chapter will 
remain a vital humanitarian organization in not only the Commonwealth, 
but across the nation and the world, for generations to come.

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