Proclaiming March, 2014 as American Red Cross Month in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by dedicated volunteers, that prevents and alleviates human suffering by harnessing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors; 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 736 disasters last year, 493 in Philadelphia alone; and

WHEREAS, On Monday, July 29th, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter opened a reception center for more than 12 hours to assist dozens of people following an explosion and building collapse in South Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter responded to a record setting number of disasters in the months of November, December, and January; and

WHEREAS,

The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter supported 14 National Disaster Operations from the deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma to flooding in New York, and even the bombing at the Boston Marathon, 23 Southeastern Pennsylvania workers served a total of 35 deployments; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter and the City of Philadelphia formed an exciting partnership to train citizens to become providers of Mental Health First Aid, with the goal to have more than 360 people trained by June 30th; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter provided the greater Philadelphia region with vital information to help residents prepare for a massive ice storm and power outage; 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 1,900 times last year; and

WHEREAS, In the Southeastern Pennsylvania region, the American Red Cross trained and certified more than 50,000 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 21 Red Cross Clubs in the region, and trained nearly 50,000 youths in Red Cross Trainings including HIV Prevention, Disaster Preparedness, First Aid and CPR, and International Humanitarian Law; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, In special recognition of the humanitarian efforts of the American Red Cross, its staff and volunteers, we the members of the City Council of Philadelphia, do hereby proclaim March, 2014 as Red Cross Month in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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