BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA 
 
A PROCLAMATION 
 
AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH 
 
WHEREAS: WHEREAS: 
WHEREAS: WHEREAS: WHEREAS: THEREFORE: 
 
The American Red Cross plays a vital humanitarian role in Georgia as it organizes millions of caring citizens to donate their time, talent, money, and blood to help ease suffering and to save lives in our state, nation, and world; and 
The Red Cross is a valued partner in Georgia's emergency planning community in response to disasters of all types. Last year, through a statewide network of nine chapters, the American Red Cross mobilized volunteers to provide food, clothing, shelter, first aid, health care, and counseling to more than 4,100 Georgia families following 2, 700 local disasters. Red Cross training programs for First Aid, CPR, use of an AED, and Water Safety also gave nearly 54,600 of our citizens the confidence and skills they need to respond to life-threatening emergencies; and 
A vital part of the Red Cross mission is to provide preparedness training by partnering with state and local agencies to encourage them to be prepared for the unexpected, including natural disasters, manmade threats, and health emergencies such as a pandemic flu outbreak; and 
In Georgia, the Red Cross is saving lives every day as its Southern Blood Services Region blood collection initiative processes, tests, and safeguards collected blood for donation to those who need it most. This initiative plays a vital role in providing red blood cells and platelets to more than l 00 Georgia hospitals; and 
As part of its humanitarian mission, the Red Cross provides military service men and women with a vital worldwide communications link to their families and loved ones back home. This worldwide connection allowed the Red Cross to assist more than 6,600 military families in sending emergency messages, attaining financial assistance, and finding counseling; now 
I, NATHAN DEAL, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby proclaim March 2016, as AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH in Georgia. 
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed this 26th day of January in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen. 
 
ATTEST 
 
GOVERNOR 
 
CHIEF OF STAFF