Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:   The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, a woman selflessly devoted to the needs of humanity; and

WHEREAS:   The Red Cross, Chartered and authorized by Congress to act in times of need, providing compassionate assistance to people afflicted by personal, local, or national disasters; and

WHEREAS:   Red Cross volunteers from Douglas County Chapter, Lawrence, Kansas, assisted seventy-five individuals and/or families who were displaced by the hurricanes of 2005, provided immediate relief to twenty-three victims of house fires, supported residents displaced by the fire at Boardwalk Apartments, and gave 1,340 pints of blood to save the lives of friends, neighbors, and strangers; and

WHEREAS:   People have counted on the Red Cross for the information and skills they need to be safe at work, at school, and at play.  Last year, the Douglas County Chapter, Lawrence, Kansas, trained nearly 4,000 people in lifesaving CPR and first aid, life guarding and water safety, and HIV/AIDS education; and

WHEREAS:   The American Red Cross provides lifesaving blood and blood products whenever and wherever needed – always with the safety of the blood supply as its number one priority;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dennis “Boog” Highberger, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim March 2006 as

“AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH”

and urge all citizens to continue to give your time, blood, and money to make a difference in the humanitarian fabric of this community.

                                                          Dennis “Boog” Highberger         Mayor

March 14, 2006