ENROLLED HOUSE
RESOLUTION NO. 1009	By:	Dorman, Armes, Banz, Bennett, Billy, Blackwell, Brown, Brumbaugh, Cannaday, Casey, Christian, Cockroft, Condit, Coody, Cooksey, Cox, Dank, Denney, Derby, DeWitt, Enns, Farley, Faught, Fourkiller, Glenn, Grau, Hall, Hamilton, Hardin, Hickman, Hilliard, Holland, Hoskin, Inman, Jackson, Johnson, Jordan, Joyner, Kern, Key, Kirby, Kouplen, Liebmann, Lockhart, Martin (Scott), Martin (Steve), McAffrey, McCullough, McDaniel (Jeannie), McDaniel (Randy), McNiel, McPeak, Moore, Morgan, Morrissette, Mulready, Murphey, Nelson, Newell, Nollan, Ortega, Osborn, Ownbey, Peters, Peterson, Pittman, Proctor, Pruett, Quinn, Renegar, Reynolds, Richardson, Ritze, Roan, Roberts (Dustin), Roberts (Sean), Rousselot, Russ, Sanders, Schwartz, Scott, Sears, Shannon, Shelton, Sherrer, Shoemake, Shumate,  Steele, Stiles, Sullivan, Terrill,  Thomsen, Tibbs, Trebilcock, Vaughan, Virgin, Walker, Watson, Wesselhoft, Williams and Wright 

A Resolution proclaiming March 3, 2011, to be Red Cross Day in Oklahoma; proclaiming March to be Red Cross Month in Oklahoma; and encouraging all Oklahomans to support the Red Cross and its mission.

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross fulfills a unique and vital role in our state, providing help and hope in the face of emergencies and disaster, and is a true reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit of the American people; and
WHEREAS, nationally the Red Cross responds to an average of 200 disasters every day; and

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters, supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood, teaches lifesaving skills, provides international humanitarian aid, and supports military members and their families; and

WHEREAS, American Red Cross is as dedicated to the mission today as it was during the days of Clara Barton; and

WHEREAS, for nearly 100 years, U.S. Presidents have called on the American people to support the Red Cross and its humanitarian mission; and

WHEREAS, in World War I, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the Red Cross to raise funds to support emergency aid to the military, as mandated by the Red Cross Congressional Charter.  At that time, the American Red Cross set a goal of $125,000,000.00 and in less than six weeks donations totaled nearly $146,000,000.00, a tribute to the overwhelming generosity of the American public; and

WHEREAS, in 1943, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to proclaim March as Red Cross Month and called on Americans to “rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross”.  President Roosevelt’s call to action nearly 70 years ago started a tradition of designating March as Red Cross Month, a time to recognize and support the valuable work of the American Red Cross by making a financial contribution, donating blood, taking a life-saving class, or volunteering to help the Red Cross perform its mission; and

WHEREAS, every day, through its network of employees and nearly 10,000 volunteers in locations all across Oklahoma, the American Red Cross is there to save the day when disaster strikes or when a neighbor’s house burns down; and

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross is there when someone needs life-saving blood or needs the comfort of a helping hand; and

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross provides training in CPR, aquatics safety, and first aid; and

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross spreads humanitarian aid and goodwill to people down the street, across the country, and around the world; and

WHEREAS, our state depends on the American Red Cross and because the Red Cross is a charitable organization, not a government agency, it depends on support from the public to continue its humanitarian work.  This is especially important in these challenging economic times for the Red Cross and all Americans.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT March 3, 2011, is hereby proclaimed to be “Red Cross Day” in Oklahoma.

THAT the month of March 2011 is hereby proclaimed to be “Red Cross Month” in Oklahoma.

THAT all Oklahomans are hereby encouraged to support the American Red Cross and its noble humanitarian mission.

Adopted by the House of Representatives the 3rd day of March, 2011.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives