HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 538 Draft 01 2006-2008 ~iV Oi„
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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 538 08
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MARCH 2008 AS "AMERICAN RED CROSS
MONTH" IN HAWAII COUNTY TO HONOR THE INVALUABLE SERVICE THE
RED CROSS PROVIDES TO THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII.
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross is one of our nation's oldest and most renowned
humanitarian organizations, meeting disasters with compassion and courage; and
WHEREAS, founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, the American Red Cross was chartered
by the United States Congress in 1905 to pro~~ide a system of relief for Americans during times
of disaster and, though not a government agency itself, faithfully carries out its national and state
responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the American Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human
suffering by coming to the aid of disaster victims, to teach people how to save lives, and to
provide emergency communication between deployed soldiers and their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, this mission is more relevant than ever as we confront a changing world
full of unique challenges and resolve to be better prepared for any emergency; and
WHEREAS, every year since 1943, the President of the United States has proclaimed
March as "American Red Cross Month"; and
WHEREAS, while most people are aware that the Red Cross exists worldwide, few
realize the rich history the American Red Cross has in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii chapter was officially chartered in 1917, although its altruistic
work began in Hawaii in 1898, when Princess Ka`iulani and 300 women mobilized to care for
shiploads of sick and wounded soldiers during the Spanish American War; and
WHEREAS, since that time, the Hawaii Red Cross has played a vital role in helping
people throughout the islands by providing compassionate assistance to all those devastated by
natural or man-made disasters, including hurricanes, the bombing at Pearl Harbor, landslides,
floods, air crashes, hostage situations, tsunamis, lava flows, and earthquakes; and
WHEREAS, from July 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007, the Hawaii chapter
responded to a multitude of local emergencies, opened 12 shelters due to brushfires and
Hurricane Flossie, distributed 1,861 disaster preparedness brochures to inform and educate the
community, and made presentations to 28 organizations, groups, and companies to share
information on disaster preparedness; and
WHEREAS, as our military men and women join the international effort to fight
terrorism across the world, Red Cross workers in Hawaii are working azound the clock to keep
service members and their families in touch, and offer other small comforts to ease the strain of
being far from home; and
WHEREAS, every year countless individuals, families, workplaces, and schools learn
lifesaving skills from Red Cross instructors, including first aid, CPR, use of Automated External
Defibrillators, and water safety, and thus part per in building safer, stronger communities, which
help our citizens become better prepared to respond to natural and/or man-made disasters; and
WHEREAS, these efforts provide hope and healing to persons dealing with tragedies
and profound loss, and demonstrate the character of the American Red Cross; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
designates Mazch 2008 as "American Red Cross Month" in Hawaii County and encourages all
citizens to support their local Red Cross organization and its volunteers and honor them for their
civic duty and life-saving activities; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the County Clerk shall forward certified copies of
this resolution to Governor Linda Lingle, Mayor Harry Kim, and Youline Kalima, Hawaii
County Director of the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross at 55 Ululani Street,
Hilo, Hawaii 96720.
Dated at Kona , Hawaii, this 12th day of March , 2008.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL ~E R, C UNTY OF AWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii AYES NOES ABS Ex
Hilo, Hawaii FORD X
HIGA g
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFFMANN
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the IKEDA
County ofHawai`ion March 12, 2008
SACOBSON X
NAEOLE g
ATTEST: PILAGO g
YAGONG X I
OSHIMOTO X
~ 9 0 0 0
C~ Reference: C-1028 Waived H E
C U TY CLERK AIRMAN P SIDING FFICER R OLUTION NO. ~ 8
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