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 Proclamations Proc. 7525 Sec. 4. Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to derogate from United States Government obligations under applicable international agree- ments. Sec. 5. The Secretary of State shall have responsibility for implementing this proclamation pursuant to such procedures as the Secretary may estab- lish. Sec. 6. This proclamation is effective immediately and shall remain in ef- fect until such time as the Secretary of State determines that it is no longer necessary and should be terminated, either in whole or in part. Any such termination shall become effective upon publication in the Federal Reg- ister. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty- sixth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7525 of March 2, 2002 American Red Cross Month, 2002 By the President of the United States of Arnerica A Proclamation The American Red Cross is one of our Nation's oldest and most renowned charitable organizations. It provides help, hope, and healing when disasters or other crises strike countries, communities, or families around the world. Founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, the American Red Cross was chartered by the Congress in 1905 to provide aid in times of need. Each year, the Red Cross responds to more than 67,000 disasters nationwide. These in- clude natural disasters, thousands of home fires, and catastrophic emergencies--such as the brutal terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Red Cross was among the first to respond to this unprecedented na- tional crisis, providing direct assistance to more than 50,000 families, shel- ter for thousands of displaced persons, millions of meals for the hungry, and grief counseling for more than 200,000 individuals affected by the trau- ma. The Red Cross also provides assistance during international emer- gencies. Responding to my request, it helped create and now administers America's Fund for Afghan Children. American children were asked to do- nate one dollar to aid Afghani children, and this effort has already pro- vided $2.4 million in medicine and other supplies to Afghanistan. Last year, the Red Cross rushed immediate medical aid and other needed items to countries devastated by natural disasters, and it helped millions of peo- ple around the world to battle malnutrition and life-threatening diseases and gain access to safe drinking water. Other Red Cross services include recruiting millions of people annually to donate blood and thereby provide hospitals with half of the Nation's sup- ply of blood and blood products. Red Cross personnel are now with our troops who are fighting terrorism in Afghanistan. They live alongside our 11

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