[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH 2017

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                            HON. JASON SMITH

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2017

  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
American Red Cross Month. In Missouri's Eighth Congressional District 
we have a long history of helping our neighbors in need. American Red 
Cross Month is a special time to recognize and thank our heroes, those 
Red Cross volunteers and donors who give of their time and resources to 
help community members.
  These heroes help families find shelter after a home fire. They give 
blood to help trauma victims and cancer patients. They deliver comfort 
items to military members in the hospital. They use their lifesaving 
skills to save someone from a heart attack, drowning or choking. They 
enable children around the globe to be vaccinated against measles and 
rubella.
  The American Red Cross depends on local heroes to deliver help and 
hope during a disaster. We applaud our heroes here in Missouri's Eighth 
Congressional District who give of themselves to assist their neighbors 
when they need a helping hand.
  Across the country and around the world, the American Red Cross 
responds to disasters big and small. In fact, every eight minutes the 
organization responds to a community disaster by providing shelter, 
food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It 
collects nearly 40 percent of the nation's blood supply; provides 24-
hour support to military members, veterans and their families; teaches 
millions lifesaving skills, such as lifeguarding and CPR; and through 
its Restoring Family Links program, connects family members separated 
by crisis, conflict or migration.
  We dedicate the month of March to all those who support the American 
Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face 
of emergencies. Our community depends on the American Red Cross, which 
relies on donations of time, money and blood to fulfill its 
humanitarian mission.
  As we celebrate March 2017 as American Red Cross Month, it is my 
pleasure to recognize the organization before the House of 
Representatives and thank them for their commitment to communities all 
across this great nation.

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