SENATE RESOLUTION 65

(By Senators Carmichael (Mr. President), Hardesty, Lindsay, Jeffries, Palumbo, Smith, Boso, Beach, Hamilton, Stollings, Swope, Baldwin, and Prezioso)

[Introduced March 1, 2019]

Designating the month of March as American Red Cross Month.

Whereas, During the past year, the American Red Cross responded to mudslides in California, a volcano in Hawaii, wildfires in Colorado and California, destructive hurricanes in Florida and the Carolinas, and a devastating typhoon in U.S. territories. Thousands of American Red Cross volunteers provided around-the-clock shelter for disaster victims, served millions of meals and snacks with partners, and distributed millions of relief items; and

Whereas, In West Virginia, the American Red Cross has a long history of helping our neighbors in need. In the past year, they assisted 1,057 families who experienced a local disaster, over 800 of which were devastating home fires.  Since the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign launched in October 2014, the American Red Cross, along with community partners, has installed over 22,000 free smoke alarms and made more than 8,000 West Virginia households safer; through this Sound the Alarm work, 511 lives have been saved nationally, including 25 lives in West Virginia; and the American Red Cross has educated approximately 5,000 West Virginia youth about preparedness and coping skills through the Pillowcase Project; and

Whereas, In the past year, the Red Cross assisted 1,000 active duty military, veterans and their families; trained more than 21,000 people in life-saving skills such as CPR and first aid; and collected 36,000 units of life-saving blood; and

Whereas, March is American Red Cross Month, a special time to recognize and thank the American Red Cross volunteers and donors who give of their time and resources to help members of the community. The American Red Cross depends on these local heroes to deliver help and hope during a disaster. We applaud our heroes here in West Virginia who give of themselves to assist their neighbors when they need a helping hand; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates the month of March as American Red Cross Month; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate supports the American Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Region of the American Red Cross.