Proclaiming March, 2012, as American Red Cross Month in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by dedicated volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies; and

WHEREAS, Compassion, courage, character, and civic duty are inherent in the Red Cross mission to prevent and relieve human suffering, and the City of Philadelphia shares these grand ideals; and

WHEREAS, The Red Cross is chartered and authorized by Congress to act in times of need, providing compassionate assistance to people afflicted by personal, local or national disasters; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter is the leading volunteer agency meeting the needs of thousands of individuals and families throughout the greater Philadelphia region affected by 760 disasters last year, 576 in Philadelphia alone; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter provided the greater Philadelphia region with vital information to help residents prepare for the first major hurricane to affect the area in many years. Volunteers and employees set up and staffed three shelters in Philadelphia for 48 hours to house 300 people and their pets seeking shelter from Hurricane Irene; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter provides a worldwide emergency communication link and other casework services to members of the United States Armed Forces and their families in the greater Philadelphia region, 24 hours a day, every day of the year - a total of 1,872 times last year; and

WHEREAS, In the Southeastern Pennsylvania region, the American Red Cross trained and certified nearly 109,000 people in vital, lifesaving skills including CPR, AED, first aid, water safety and HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as disaster preparedness skills; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter fulfilled its commitment to spotlighting National Preparedness Month by providing emergency preparedness outreach and education programs free of charge to millions of Southeastern Pennsylvania residents and businesses; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter operated 17 Red Cross Clubs in the region, and trained nearly 50,000 youth in Red Cross Trainings including HIV prevention, Disaster Preparedness, First Aid and CPR, and International Humanitarian Law. SEPA youth programs also reached over 75,000 youth last year through distribution of disaster preparedness information as well as community service opportunities and service learning projects; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby proclaim March 2012 as American Red Cross Month in the City of Philadelphia in special recognition of the humanitarian efforts of the American Red Cross, its staff and volunteers and we encourage all citizens to recognize and support the invaluable contributions of the American Red Cross.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented as a sincere expression of City Council's appreciation and recognition.

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