[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5013-5014]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF MONROE COUNTY AMERICAN RED CROSS

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 85th 
Anniversary of the Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross. 
Since April 30, 1915, this chapter has faithfully served the citizens 
of Monroe County, Michigan, providing aid and comfort in times when it 
is needed most.
  The Monroe County Chapter was founded by several prominent citizens 
of the community, many of whom were members of the National American 
Red Cross. During that first year, the founders conducted a membership

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drive, recruited an anti-tuberculosis visiting nurse, provided funds to 
aid the starving in Mexico and began a Red Cross Christmas Stamp 
campaign. These activities were just the beginning of an 85-year 
tradition of services that have carried the generosity of Monroe 
County's residents to people in need in all parts of the world.
  In addition to its emergency disaster relief efforts to residents 
countywide, the Monroe County Chapter has demonstrated remarkable 
adaptability, enabling it to continue to meet both changing local and 
global needs. Since the inception of the chapter's annual blood drive, 
Monroe County donors have generously given over 4,000 units of blood 
each year. The chapter offers courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 
first aid, water safety, babysitting and HIV/AIDS education, and 
remains the primary link between U.S. armed forces personnel and their 
families in Monroe County.
  Mr. President, as I was preparing this statement I was reminded once 
again of the essential role the American Red Cross plays in our 
communities. Born from the mythic efforts of Clara Barton during the 
Civil War, the organization currently has more than 1.3 million 
volunteers working under its banner, providing disaster relief services 
for victims of more than 66,000 disasters per year. More importantly, 
the American Red Cross still holds firm to the principles it was 
founded upon. The mission remains to prevent and alleviate human 
suffering wherever it may be found. That is why, when things are at 
their worst, it continues to be the American Red Cross and its 
volunteers that are there to make them better.
  Mr. President, I applaud the Monroe County Chapter of the American 
Red Cross on eighty-five years of successful service to the Monroe 
Community, and I extend a much deserved thank you to the many staff and 
volunteers whose efforts throughout the years have made this event 
possible. On behalf of the entire Senate, I wish them continued success 
in the future.

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