[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 9 (Monday, March 7, 2005)]
[Page 332]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7871--American Red Cross Month, 2005

 February 28, 2005

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Americans have a long history of rising to meet humanitarian 
challenges, and the American Red Cross is a leader in these efforts. 
Since 1881, the American Red Cross has met disaster with compassion and 
courage. During American Red Cross Month, we honor this dedication and 
reaffirm the importance of volunteering time and contributing resources 
to make our communities and the world better.
    From offering blood drives and lifesaving courses to providing 
disaster relief services at home and abroad, American Red Cross 
employees and volunteers work countless hours to care for those in need 
and serve a cause greater than self. As a result of the recent tsunami 
in the Indian Ocean, over 150,000 lives were lost and many more were 
left homeless and without food and water. The American Red Cross swiftly 
dispatched relief workers to assist those affected, and to distribute 
supplies, counsel survivors, and help people return home.
    Here at home, the American Red Cross helps support our troops by 
transmitting emergency messages to members of the Armed Forces and their 
families. In this past year, the Red Cross has also contributed 
significantly to relief efforts for hurricanes in Florida, flooding in 
Western Pennsylvania, wildfires in the Western United States, and 
mudslides in California. These good works provide hope and healing to 
those dealing with profound loss and demonstrate the character of the 
American Red Cross.
    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 2005 as American Red Cross Month. I 
commend the efforts of American Red Cross employees and volunteers, and 
I encourage all Americans to donate their time, energy, and talents to 
support this organization's humanitarian mission.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth 
day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:26 a.m., March 2, 
2005]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on March 
3.