WHEREAS, for more than a century, the American Red Cross has been at the forefront of helping Americans prevent, prepare for and respond to large and small disasters; families and communities depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross in turn depends on the support of the American people to help sustain the foundation; and

        WHEREAS, each March we formally recognize the American Red Cross and its essential humanitarian role in our community; we honor the Red Cross’s contribution to making Idaho a better place; and this year we focus on the spirit of the volunteers, donors, partners and employees who support the Red Cross mission of humanitarianism; and

        WHEREAS, for more than 93 years, the Red Cross in Idaho has relied on the everyday heroes who donate time, blood or money; heroes who help coordinate blood drives, heroes who respond to disasters; heroes who teach first aid and CPR to those who need the skills the most; and

        WHEREAS, the Red Cross has been where compassionate people freely give their time and talent to help prevent and ease human suffering among friends, neighbors and even strangers; and

        WHEREAS, in the past year alone, the Red Cross chapter in Idaho responded to 301 emergencies, assisted 1,178 military families and trained 11,612 people in lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid; and since Red Cross volunteers are the core of the Red Cross, donating their time and energy to selflessly serving those in need; demonstrating the compassion and generosity for which Americans are known; and

        WHEREAS, this year we devote a day to our dedicated volunteers; our hometown heroes; and on Hometown Heroes Day, we celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of the many heroes of Red Cross to building a better quality of life in Idaho;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho do hereby proclaim March 2007 as

AMERICAN  RED  CROSS  MONTH

and March 31^st, 2007 as

HOMETOWN  HEROES  DAY

and do urge all Idahoans to continue giving their time, money and blood to make a difference in the humanitarian fabric of this community. We help each other when we help 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 5^th day of March in the year of our Lord two-thousand and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.       

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE