WHEREAS, The American Red Cross has been in Idaho since 1914 exemplifying the characteristics of compassion, courage, character, and civic duty that are inherent in the Red Cross mission and vital to providing humanitarian services to communities across Idaho; and

     WHEREAS, The American Red Cross keeps military service members and their families in touch around the world; conducts international tracing and messaging; offers training in first aid, CPR, and other skills; and provides lifesaving blood across America to someone in need at an average of once every two seconds; and

     WHEREAS, local Red Cross preparedness depends upon a readily available supply of blood, disaster supplies, well-trained and enthusiastic volunteers, and the financial support of the local community; and

      WHEREAS, these resources must be available at a moment’s notice when a personal or family crisis strikes, or a natural, or manmade disaster occurs; and

      WHEREAS, The American Red Cross of Greater Idaho met the needs of more than 2,900 people affected by disaster in the past year offering food, clothing, shelter, mental health support, and referral services; and

      WHEREAS, since 1943, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called upon the American people with the request “…that during this month our people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross,” March has been recognized as Red Cross month nation-wide and is a time for Red Cross blood donors, financial supporters, and volunteers to renew their commitment to serving humanitarian interests in their community, across the nation, and around the world;

      NOW, THEREFORE, I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim March 2006, to be

AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH

in Idaho, and I strongly encourage all citizens who are able to donate to the Red Cross.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this tenth day of February in the year of our Lord two-thousand and six and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirtieth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred sixteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE