[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 42 (Thursday, March 5, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 9735-9736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4818]



[[Page 9733]]

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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 8346--American Red Cross Month, 2009



Proclamation 8347--National Consumer Protection Month, 2009



Proclamation 8348--Save Your Vision Week, 2009



Proclamation 8349--Read Across America Day, 2009
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 42 / Thursday, March 5, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 9735]]

                Proclamation 8346 of February 27, 2009

                
American Red Cross Month, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                 Sixty-two years after its founding, the Red Cross was 
                instrumental in what President Franklin D. Roosevelt 
                called the ``greatest single crusade of mercy in all of 
                history.'' In 1943, at the height of World War II, 
                President Roosevelt called on the American people to 
                support the troops by supporting the Red Cross, which 
                provided food, blood, and supplies to American troops, 
                allies, and civilians across the world. President 
                Roosevelt asked Americans to donate funds to the Red 
                Cross, setting a goal of $125 million for 6 weeks of 
                fundraising. The American people responded with 
                characteristic generosity, opening their hearts and 
                wallets. The Red Cross met this goal in less than 6 
                weeks. During that season of generosity and unity, 
                President Roosevelt proclaimed March 1943 as the first 
                Red Cross Month.

                 The Red Cross has continued to serve those suffering 
                from large- and small-scale disasters. The organization 
                is best known for its work helping communities deal 
                with major disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and 
                wildfires. These large-scale disasters represent a 
                major part of the work of the American Red Cross. Just 
                as important are the tens of thousands of small-scale 
                disasters that occur every day in communities 
                nationwide, and the volunteers who respond to them. 
                These efforts include supporting our military and their 
                families, collecting and distributing blood, helping 
                the needy, delivering health and safety education, and 
                providing aid abroad.

                 In every response, volunteers are the key to Red Cross 
                efforts. Volunteers represent 96 percent of the Red 
                Cross workforce. Without their giving spirit, disaster 
                relief operations would fall short, blood donations 
                would fail, and the mission of the Red Cross would go 
                unfulfilled. Whether helping military families stay 
                connected with service members around the world, 
                teaching CPR and first aid, or supporting other members 
                of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent 
                Movement, volunteers are critical to the success of 
                each and every Red Cross endeavor. These individuals 
                epitomize the generosity and community spirit of the 
                American people.

[[Page 9736]]

                 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America and Honorary Chairman of the 
                American Red Cross, by virtue of the authority vested 
                in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States 
                do hereby proclaim March 2009 as American Red Cross 
                Month. I encourage all Americans to support this 
                organization's noble humanitarian mission.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-4818
Filed 3-4-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P