Reps. Kooiman, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Angerer, Ball, Baxter, Bennett, Bieda, Booher, Byrnes, Byrum, Caswell, Caul, Condino, Cushingberry, Espinoza, Farhat, Farrah, Garfield, Gillard, Gleason, Gonzales, Green, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Hopgood, Huizenga, Jones, Kehrl, LaJoy, Kathleen Law, Leland, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, Marleau, Mayes, McDowell, Meyer, Miller, Mortimer, Murphy, Newell, Nitz, Nofs, Palmer, Palsrok, Pearce, Polidori, Proos, Sak, Shaffer, Sheltrown, Virgil Smith, Spade, Stahl, Steil, Stewart, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Waters, Wojno and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 38.

A resolution recognizing March 2005 as American Red Cross Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, The American Red Cross, founded in 1881 and guided by the principles of compassion, courage, character, and civic duty, has continually served the needs of Michigan residents as well as individuals in need world-wide; and

Whereas, The American Red Cross is uniquely chartered by the United States Congress.  It provides assistance to people afflicted by local, state, national, or international disasters, as well as assistance for American Military personnel and their families; and

Whereas, The American Red Cross provides about eighty percent of the blood and blood products used by Michigan residents during medical procedures and operations.  The American Red Cross is facing increased demands, thereby increasing the need for citizens to donate blood; and

Whereas, In today’s new world of terrorism and threats to homeland security, the American Red Cross is urging all Americans to protect themselves through its  “Together We Prepare” program, which includes five actions each citizen should take.  These actions include: Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Get Trained, Volunteer, and Give Blood; now, therefore be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize March 2005 as American Red Cross Month in the state of Michigan.  We request that each Michigan citizen prepare themselves to respond to life threatening incidents and work to advance this organization’s noble and humanitarian mission.  And, accordingly, we ask all agencies of state government to support and assist the various activities of the American Red Cross, particularly by participating in blood drives throughout this year.