Senate Resolution 32

A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE MONTH OF MARCH 2006 IS "AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH" IN MISSISSIPPI AND URGING CITIZENS TO SUPPORT THE MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AND ITS LOCAL AFFILIATES.

WHEREAS, America has always been a place of humanitarian action and compassion, a place where people take care of each other, and are always willing to reach out and take care of others in need, whether they are down the block or around the globe. That American desire to put our compassion into action is deeply rooted in the character of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, for more than 88 years, the Red Cross in Mississippi has been the place where citizens join together, and the generosity and compassion of the American people finds purpose. Our Red Cross chapters and their corps of 6,458 volunteers are among the first on the scene, providing food, shelter, grief counseling and more. During this past hurricane season alone, the American Red Cross Chapters worked together with area citizens to provide shelter to more than 9,400 and served over 42,300 meals and snacks; and

WHEREAS, residents of Mississippi look to the American Red Cross for many of the things that make our state stronger and safer. Over 52,000 people turned to the Red Cross to learn lifesaving skills such as first aid, CPR and aquatics and another 38,000 learned how to prepare for disasters. Red Cross community sessions reached 10,709 Mississippians to inform them about risks of HIV/AIDS, and 121 people have been trained to be HIV/AIDS instructors; and

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross Chapters throughout Mississippi continue to provide support and comfort to our military families. In the last year they briefed 9,995 reserves, National Guard troops and their family members on how to access Red Cross services and connected loved ones separated by war and conflict; and

WHEREAS, recognizing that suffering knows no borders, the Red Cross provides assistance during international emergencies, such as the tsunami. They have also spearheaded a campaign to immunize millions of African children against measles, a disease nearly forgotten in America, but a deadly killer in many other parts of the world; and

WHEREAS, in America, we may not all look the same, dress the same or sound the same, but we share a common spirit that binds us together when times are tough and unites us in action when someone is suffering. Like a mirror on America, the Red Cross shows us the best possible reflection of ourselves. In celebrating American Red Cross Month, we are celebrating the humanitarian and volunteer spirit here in Mississippi and all across America:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby acknowledge that the month of March 2006 is "American Red Cross Month" in the State of Mississippi, and urge citizens to continue to volunteer their time, and give generously to the Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross and its local offices.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.