Proclamation 3572—Red Cross Month, 1964

Whereas the American National Red Cross, in fulfilling the responsibility vested in it by congressional charter, acts as a medium of communication between the people of the United States and their Armed Forces and in matters of voluntary relief affecting our servicemen and their families; and

Whereas for more than three-quarters of a century the American Red Cross has served during periods of national emergency war, and peace as a voluntary aid to the Government of the United Mates in matters affecting the welfare of all the American people; and

Whereas such vital Red Cross services as the Blood Program, Disaster, First Aid, Water Safety, and Nursing Services, and other activities must be maintained at maximum effectiveness at all times; and

Whereas these services and programs, essential to the United States and the welfare of its people, are carried on by the 46,000,000 members and volunteers of the 3,500 Red Cross chapters throughout the Nation; and

Whereas the United States of America, as a signer and adherent to the Red Cross Treaty of Geneva, is a member of the International Red Cross family which now begins its one hundred and first year of effective service to the world community; and

Whereas the American Red Cross, as a member of the League of Red Cross Societies and in cooperation with the League, assists in many of the great international relief programs around the world, bringing sustenance and hope to the victims of war, civil conflict, epidemic, and disaster; and

Whereas, acting under the provisions of the Geneva Conventions, the American Red Cross and its sister societies have furnished voluntary aid to the sick and wounded of armies in time of war and have protected prisoners of war:

Now, Therefore, I, Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States of America and Honorary Chairman of the American National Red Cross, do hereby designate March 1964 as Red Cross Month; and I urge all Americans to honor the American Red Cross to the limit of their capability by participating in and strengthening its work.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this thirty-first day of January in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-eighth.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

By the President:

Dean Rusk,

Secretary of State.