Presidential Documents

9735 

Federal Register 

Vol. 74, No. 42 

Thursday, March 5, 2009 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8346 of February 27, 2009 

American Red Cross Month, 2009 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Sixty-two years after its founding, the Red Cross was instrumental in what 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt called the ‘‘greatest single crusade of mercy 

in all of history.’’ In 1943, at the height of World War II, President Roosevelt 

called on the American people to support the troops by supporting the 

Red Cross, which provided food, blood, and supplies to American troops, 

allies, and civilians across the world. President Roosevelt asked Americans 

to donate funds to the Red Cross, setting a goal of $125 million for 6 

weeks of fundraising. The American people responded with characteristic 

generosity, opening their hearts and wallets. The Red Cross met this goal 

in less than 6 weeks. During that season of generosity and unity, President 

Roosevelt proclaimed March 1943 as the first Red Cross Month. 

The Red Cross has continued to serve those suffering from large- and smallscale disasters. The organization is best known for its work helping communities deal with major disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. 

These large-scale disasters represent a major part of the work of the American 

Red Cross. Just as important are the tens of thousands of small-scale disasters 

that occur every day in communities nationwide, and the volunteers who 

respond to them. These efforts include supporting our military and their 

families, collecting and distributing blood, helping the needy, delivering 

health and safety education, and providing aid abroad. 

In every response, volunteers are the key to Red Cross efforts. Volunteers 

represent 96 percent of the Red Cross workforce. Without their giving spirit, 

disaster relief operations would fall short, blood donations would fail, and 

the mission of the Red Cross would go unfulfilled. Whether helping military 

families stay connected with service members around the world, teaching 

CPR and first aid, or supporting other members of the International Red 

Cross and Red Crescent Movement, volunteers are critical to the success 

of each and every Red Cross endeavor. These individuals epitomize the 

generosity and community spirit of the American people. 


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9736 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 42 / Thursday, March 5, 2009 / Presidential Documents 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America and Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross, by virtue 

of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 

States do hereby proclaim March 2009 as American Red Cross Month. I 

encourage all Americans to support this organization’s noble humanitarian 

mission. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh 

day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtythird. 

[FR Doc. E9–4818 

Filed 3–4–09; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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