Proclamation 3636—Red Cross Month, 1965

Whereas the American National Red Cross is recognized by the Congress of the United States as the agency authorized to provide voluntary relief to our servicemen and their families and to serve as the medium of communication between the people of the United States and their Armed Forces; and

Whereas for more than eighty-four years the American Red Cross has served the Government of the United States in periods of national emergency, war, and peace as a voluntary aid in matters affecting the welfare of all the American people; and

Whereas the national programs and community services of the American Red Cross including Disaster Relief operations, the Blood Program, Nursing Services, First Aid, Water Safety, and others, contribute to the general good and must be maintained at maximum efficiency; and

Whereas these essential programs and services are made possible through the voluntary support and cooperation of 43,500,000 members and volunteers in 3,500 Red Cross chapters across the Nation; and

Whereas the American National Red Cross, as a member of the League of Red Cross Societies and in full cooperation with the League, participates in the international relief programs, providing food, clothing, medical care, assistance, and hope to the peoples affected by war, pestilence, civil conflict, and disaster; and

Whereas, under the provisions of the Geneva Conventions, the American Red Cross, in cooperation with its sister societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, has furnished voluntary aid to the sick and wounded of armies in time of war and has protected prisoners of war; and

Whereas the United States of America, as an adherent to the Red Cross Treaty of Geneva, is itself a member of the International Red Cross family of nations:

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 1965 as Red Cross Month; and I urgently request every American to honor the American Red Cross, to his fullest capacity, by participating in and supporting its programs.

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 28th day of January in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-ninth.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

By the President:

GEORGE W. BALL,

Acting Secretary of State.