Recognizing the American Red Cross and Filipino-American Association of Philadelphia for their efforts to alleviate the suffering of victims of Typhoon Haiyan, and other contributions made to improve the general welfare of man and improve the cultural relations of the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America.

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross has devoted its centuries long existence to the alleviation of human suffering; and

WHEREAS, The Filipino-American Association of Philadelphia, Inc. has worked for over a century to improve cross-cultural understanding and amity between the Filipino-American community in Philadelphia and the broader United States; and

WHEREAS, The Republic of the Philippines was recently affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which has been recognized as the strongest tropical cyclone in the world in 2013 and estimated to have claimed at least 2,500 lives so far; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 650,000 people have been displaced in the Philippines with an additional 9.8 million people directly affected by the storm; and

WHEREAS, These events occurred on the heel of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake which struck the same region of the Philippines last month and took at least 150 lives; and

WHEREAS, The Filipino-American Association of Philadelphia has been active in raising funds for the relief effort for Typhoon Haiyan; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross have partnered with the Filipino-American Association of Philadelphia to deliver funds and aid to survivors and assist the residents of the affected region in any way they can; and

WHEREAS, These actions represent the highest form of charity and altruism and demonstrate a dedication to human welfare above and beyond civic duty; now, therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Recognizes the extraordinary humanitarianism of the American Red Cross and the Filipino-American Association of Philadelphia and their dedication to the values of fellowship, mercy, and compassion.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Council calls on members of the Philadelphia community to follow in their example and heed the call of community service that alleviates the suffering of their fellow man.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be delivered to Rommel Rivera, M.D., President of the Filipino-American Association of Philadelphia and to the Honorable

Renée Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End