[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 10721-10722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5417]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 8, 1994]




                Editorial note: For the President's statement on this 
                Executive order, see issue 9 of the Weekly Compilation 
                of Presidential Documents.


                        Presidential Documents 


Federal Register
Vol. 59, No. 45
Tuesday, March 8, 1994

____________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President
                Proclamation 6653 of March 2, 1994

 

American Red Cross Month, 1994

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Over a century ago, Clara Barton founded the American 
                Red Cross to provide hope, compassion, and care to 
                victims of catastrophe and destruction. Today over 150 
                countries uphold the idea of neutral and impartial 
                assistance to all people in times of great pain, 
                disaster, or war. In 2,600 chapters across the United 
                States, and on 200 U.S. military installations around 
                the world, over 1.4 million American Red Cross 
                volunteers and more than 23,000 paid staff work 
                diligently to save lives and to assist those in crisis.

                It is fitting that in this month, which celebrates the 
                coming of spring and the rebirth of nature, we take the 
                time to acknowledge the many outstanding 
                accomplishments of the American Red Cross. As the 
                Honorary Chairman of this praiseworthy organization, I 
                am proud to commend everyone who is associated with its 
                life-saving efforts. The dedicated members of this 
                organization have enabled thousands of people who 
                thought hope had abandoned them to experience new and 
                bright beginnings. Since 1881 the American Red Cross 
                has helped millions who have entered its doors seeking 
                shelter, food, financial assistance, training, and most 
                important, compassion.

                The last 12 months will go down in history as a litany 
                of disasters of every description, from the Midwest 
                floods to the California fires and earthquakes to the 
                winter storms that gripped a large part of the country. 
                The American Red Cross rose to each challenge in its 
                usual timely and efficient manner, restoring hope for 
                so many in need. The Red Cross is in the business of 
                responding to disasters, large and small, 365 days a 
                year. It also provides blood to hospital patients, who 
                otherwise might not survive.

                For many, the Great Flood of 1993 did not become a 
                frightening headline until well into the summer. For 
                the American Red Cross, however, the floodwaters had 
                been a serious concern since early spring. Nine months 
                after the flooding started, over 20,000 Red Cross 
                workers had participated in the relief operation, more 
                than 2.8 million meals had been served, and 
                approximately 35,000 families had received assistance 
                from Red Cross caseworkers.

                While thousands of Red Cross workers helped victims 
                recover from the floodwaters in the Midwest, Red Cross 
                personnel in California faced a different challenge--
                fire. Hundreds of families fleeing the raging 
                California fires found haven in Red Cross shelters. 
                Fire victims were provided comfort and strength as they 
                tried to rebuild their lives out of the ashes.

                As 1993 came to a close and many of us began preparing 
                for holiday meals, the Red Cross also was preparing 
                meals--for cold and hungry people, victims of the 
                winter storms that lashed out across the Nation. Once 
                again, feeding vans were busily dispensing hot coffee 
                and sandwiches, comfort and hope. The Red Cross set up 
                over 100 shelters in 6 states, bringing security and 
                warmth to those in need.

                The year 1994 began with nature's awesome display of 
                power, tearing Southern California asunder in the 
                Northridge earthquakes. Again the Red Cross was there 
                to help those left homeless and hungry.

                Thanks to the American Red Cross blood program, 
                thousands receive life-giving donations and are able to 
                enjoy one more birthday, one more anniversary, one more 
                day of sunshine. The American Red Cross collects, 
                processes, and distributes more than half the Nation's 
                blood supply--all while ensuring that it is the safest 
                in the world. Over 6 million times last year, donors 
                came to the Red Cross to give the gift of life to 
                others.

                Through the network of the International Red Cross and 
                Red Crescent Movement, families around our globe were 
                able to locate and communicate with loved ones with 
                whom they had lost contact due to wars or refugee 
                movements. Prisoners of war saw hope come into their 
                cells in the form of a Red Cross emblem. American Red 
                Cross delegates called such places as Armenia, Croatia, 
                and Cambodia home last year as they brought medical 
                care, skilled relief workers, food, and reassurance to 
                countries suffering from the ravages of disaster, 
                disease, and war.

                The Red Cross has earned our abiding respect, and we 
                look forward to seeing its symbol of hope continue to 
                shine brightly across this great land. A very grateful 
                Nation thanks the American Red Cross for a job 
                extremely well done.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim the month of March 1994, as 
                ``American Red Cross Month.'' I urge all Americans to 
                continue their generous support of the Red Cross and 
                its chapters nationwide through contributions of time, 
                funds, and blood donations.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                second day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and 
                eighteenth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)>

[FR Doc. 94-5417
Filed 3-4-94; 12:28 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P