[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19069-19071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING WORLD RED CROSS RED CRESCENT DAY

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 378) honoring World Red Cross Red Crescent Day, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 378

       Whereas World Red Cross Red Crescent Day was observed on 
     May 8, 2007;
       Whereas May 8 marks the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder 
     of the International Committee of the Red Cross, who began 
     advocating for the humane treatment of the wartime sick and 
     wounded after witnessing the atrocities at the Battle of 
     Solferino in 1859;
       Whereas World Red Cross Red Crescent Day is celebrated by 
     many of the 185 Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Magen David Adom 
     National Societies throughout the world and more than 750 
     chapters throughout the United States;
       Whereas through the motivation and action of its volunteers 
     and donors, the American Red Cross and its partners worldwide 
     pay tribute to Henry Dunant's legacy by helping those in need 
     and protecting human dignity for all;
       Whereas the American Red Cross helps vulnerable people and 
     communities around the world to prevent, prepare for, respond 
     to, and recover from disasters, complex humanitarian 
     emergencies, and life-threatening health conditions;
       Whereas the American Red Cross is uniquely positioned to 
     save lives through the Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Magen 
     David Adom National Societies network of 97,000,000 
     volunteers located in nearly every country in the world;

[[Page 19070]]

       Whereas in 2006, the American Red Cross responded to 23 
     international disasters, contributing more than $16.1 million 
     in financial support, deploying delegates and providing 
     relief supplies and other emergency assistance to millions 
     affected by disasters;
       Whereas the American Red Cross continues to help affected 
     communities recover from the tsunami that resulted from the 
     earthquake that occurred off the west coast of northern 
     Sumatra, Indonesia, on December 26, 2004, by providing 
     assistance to more than 3.3 million people through long-term 
     recovery programs and more than 80 million people through 
     disease control activities in the tsunami-affected countries;
       Whereas since 2001, the American Red Cross and its partners 
     in the Measles Initiative have vaccinated more than 372 
     million children in 48 countries against measles; and
       Whereas World Red Cross Red Crescent Day will honor the 
     efforts of Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Magen David Adom 
     employees and volunteers who work tirelessly to alleviate 
     human suffering: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives commends the 
     humanitarian efforts of Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Magen 
     David Adom National Societies worldwide on the occasion of 
     World Red Cross Red Crescent Day.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for all Members to 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  I would first like to commend our distinguished colleague, Mr. 
Fortuno of Puerto Rico, for introducing this resolution.
  More than 140 years ago, the great Henry Dunant founded the 
International Committee of the Red Cross after witnessing the 
atrocities of the Battle of Solferino in 1859.
  Mr. Dunant's heroic advocacy on behalf of the humane treatment of 
wartime sick and wounded spawned a global movement dedicated to helping 
those in need and protecting human dignity for all.
  Today, there are more than 185 Red Cross, Red Crescent and Magen 
David Adom societies throughout the world and more than 750 chapters in 
the United States alone. These organizations help vulnerable people in 
communities prevent, prepare for and respond to and recover from 
disasters, complex humanitarian emergencies and life-threatening 
conditions. The red symbols of these great organizations are 
unambiguous, internationally recognized, signs of comfort, hope and 
protection.
  The American Red Cross, in particular, is a vital lifeline for many 
people, both in this country and abroad. In conjunction with its sister 
national societies throughout the world, it has assisted millions of 
distressed individuals.
  In 2006 alone, the American Red Cross responded to 23 international 
disasters and contributed more than $16.1 million in financial support. 
Often beyond the lens of cameras or public view at some of the most 
devastated corners on Earth, the American Red Cross represents our 
country and our national spirit of generosity and hope.
  To honor Mr. Dunant's legacy and the work of thousands of volunteers 
and donors, the American Red Cross and its partners will celebrate 
World Red Cross Red Crescent Day. This resolution pays tribute to this 
event and to the work of thousands of volunteers internationally. It 
reaffirms our country's support for the world's largest humanitarian 
network and celebrates the values of the Red Cross, the Red Crescent, 
and Magen David Adom societies.
  I am pleased to note that for the first time World Red Cross Red 
Crescent day will include Magen David Adom, Israel's national Red Cross 
society, which became a full member of the international movement in 
2006.
  I strongly support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 378 
introduced by my good friend and colleague from Puerto Rico (Mr. 
Fortuno).
  This resolution commends the humanitarian efforts of Red Cross, Red 
Crescent and Magen David Adom societies worldwide on the occasion of 
World Red Cross Red Crescent Day.
  These organizations and their 97 million volunteers worldwide make 
invaluable contributions every day. They provide relief and 
humanitarian assistance to the world's most vulnerable people, 
alleviating the suffering of citizens afflicted by war, natural 
disasters and other crises.
  More than 233 million people worldwide received assistance from Red 
Cross, Red Crescent and Magen David Adom societies each year. When a 
tsunami hit southeast Asia in 2005, those societies were there. When 
hundreds of millions of children require vaccination against measles 
and others diseases, those societies are there. When the need arises in 
the future for humanitarian aid and relief, those societies will be 
there.
  As a Member of Congress from Florida's 18th District, I have 
witnessed firsthand the good works of the Red Cross throughout its 
efforts to help the victims of numerous hurricanes and tropical storms 
that have afflicted the residents of south Florida.
  I have also witnessed firsthand, in my numerous trips to Israel, the 
relief work and the humanitarian assistance that the Magen David Adom 
has provided to so many, including, tragically, the many innocent 
victims of terror.
  Therefore, I am particularly pleased that in 2006, in a long overdue 
development, the International Committee of the Red Cross officially 
recognized Magen David Adom as Israel's national aid society. With much 
appreciation for the good work of Red Cross, Red Crescent and Magen 
David Adom societies everywhere, I urge the House to adopt House 
Resolution 378, introduced by my good friend, Mr. Fortuno.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support 
for this resolution honoring the humanitarian work of the Red Cross and 
the Red Crescent.
  In February of this year, southern Iowa was hit by a devastating ice 
storm that caused massive damage and left tens of thousands of people 
without electricity or heat in the middle of winter, some for more than 
ten days.
  The Red Cross moved expeditiously to set up vitally needed shelters 
and coordinated with state and local governments to ensure that the 
needs of those affected by the storm were met.
  In the immediate aftermath of the storm, I had the opportunity to 
tour Red Cross shelters throughout my district and to meet with Red 
Cross volunteers. I was enormously impressed with the Red Cross's 
rapid, thorough, and compassionate response to the disaster, which 
affected everyone of my constituents.
  On behalf of the Second District of Iowa, I would like to extend my 
thanks to the Red Cross for the services they provided in the aftermath 
of the February storms.
  This resolution recognizes the type of work I saw the Red Cross 
carrying out first-hand, and I strongly urge its passage.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our 
time.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 378, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``Resolution commending the 
humanitarian efforts of Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Magen David Adom 
National Societies worldwide on the occasion of World Red Cross Red 
Crescent Day.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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