[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 10 (Monday, March 8, 2004)]
[Pages 329-330]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
 Proclamation 7759--American Red Cross Month, 2004

 March 3, 2004

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton and 
chartered by the Congress in 1905 to provide humanitarian services to 
the United States in times of need. Today, the Red Cross remains 
dedicated to relieving suffering by helping our citizens prepare for and 
respond to emergencies and natural disasters.

[[Page 330]]

    The Red Cross exemplifies one of the great strengths of America--the 
compassion of our people. Each year, the Red Cross responds to tens of 
thousands of disasters in the United States, from home fires and 
earthquakes to tornadoes and chemical spills. In Afghanistan and Iraq, 
the Red Cross is serving military families by delivering emergency 
messages between deployed members of our Armed Forces and their 
families. Through International Response Teams, the Red Cross provides 
vital aid overseas to the victims of disease, famine, war, and natural 
disasters. The Red Cross also educates individuals, families, schools, 
businesses, and communities about the importance of disaster 
preparedness, especially after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 
2001. By offering health and safety training such as first aid, CPR, and 
aquatic lifesaving, and by facilitating the collection of millions of 
units of blood for donation, the Red Cross helps our country to handle 
emergencies.
    Many of the essential services of the American Red Cross are 
provided by volunteers who give their time and energy to help fellow 
citizens in need. During Red Cross relief operations, these volunteers 
assess damages, drive emergency response vehicles to distribute food and 
other supplies to people, and shelter families who have been evacuated 
from their homes. As we celebrate American Red Cross Month, I encourage 
all Americans to commit themselves to helping others by volunteering in 
their communities.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, 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 2004 as American Red Cross Month. I 
urge all Americans to support this organization's humanitarian mission. 
On behalf of a grateful Nation, we also applaud the selfless dedication 
of Red Cross employees and volunteers.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of 
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:34 a.m., March 4, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on March 
5.