[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9845 of March 1, 2019

American Red Cross Month, 2019

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Guided by her passionate devotion to humanity, Clara Barton founded the
American Red Cross in 1881 as a charitable organization to provide
services to people in need. After 138 years, her historic legacy of
selfless service still inspires hundreds of thousands of Americans to
give their time, resources, and energy to help people in the United
States and around the world, aiding those facing natural disasters,
donating and supplying blood, and serving our military families. During
American Red Cross Month, we recognize and honor the lifesaving work of
the dedicated employees and volunteers of the American Red Cross, as
well as the remarkable kindness of the American people who give so
generously to this organization.
Each year, the American Red Cross provides care, relief, and comfort to
Americans who are suffering from natural disasters. Just last year,
massive wildfires and major hurricanes caused catastrophic damage,
taking numerous lives and leaving communities scarred and families
forever changed. In California alone, residents faced some of the most
destructive wildfires in their State's history. Through all of these,
thousands of American Red Cross volunteers mobilized to provide around-
the-clock shelter for victims, work with government and community
partners to serve millions of meals and snacks, and distribute other
emergency supplies and relief items.

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The American Red Cross also maintains a strong presence throughout the
world. As part of the world's largest humanitarian network, the
organization helps people in some of the most at-risk communities. Last
year, the American Red Cross deployed emergency responders to disaster
zones in 7 countries and sent humanitarian aid, including financial
assistance and lifesaving supplies, to more than 18 countries. In the
wake of emergencies and disasters, American Red Cross volunteers work
tirelessly to ensure that those affected are able to receive the best
possible help during the most challenging of times.
As the single largest supplier of blood products in the country, the
American Red Cross is critical in processing, distributing, and ensuring
the safety of our Nation's blood supply. Through its collection of more
than 4.7 million blood donations and more than 900,000 platelet
donations each year, the organization helps accident and burn victims,
heart surgery patients, and those receiving cancer treatments. In the
aftermath of the tragic shootings that occurred last year in Parkland,
Florida; Santa Fe, Texas; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Thousand Oaks,
California, the American Red Cross provided blood and blood products to
the injured and wounded. Every year, nearly 2.7 million compassionate
volunteer donors give blood and platelet donations that make these
lifesaving services possible.
For more than a century, the American Red Cross has maintained a strong
partnership with the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. Each day,
the American Red Cross serves military personnel and veterans by
providing 24/7 global emergency communication services and support in
healthcare facilities across the country and around the globe. Since
2001, the American Red Cross has served more than one million military
families, helping them cope with the challenges of deployment and
supporting combat veterans as they return and transition back into
civilian life.
President Herbert Hoover said: ``The greater glory of the Red Cross
belongs to the people themselves. It is a living embodiment of their
heart and soul.'' This month, we acknowledge the indispensable value of
the American Red Cross, the numerous ways in which the organization's
endeavors enhance the well-being of Americans and others worldwide, and
the generosity of all those who support its important mission.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim March 2019 as American Red Cross
Month. I encourage all Americans to observe this month with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities, and to support the work of the
American Red Cross and their local chapters.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of March,
in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.
DONALD J. TRUMP