Proclamation 3171—Red Cross Month, 1957

Whereas the American National Red Cross continues to demonstrate its capacity to serve as a volunteer relief agency of the American people in matters affecting our communities, the Nation, and the world; and

Whereas by act of Congress the American National Red Cross is assigned responsibility in matters of voluntary relief for the armed forces of the United States, and serves as an agent of the American people in mitigating the suffering caused by disaster in this country or abroad; and

Whereas, while meeting its responsibilities to the American people, it has, during the past year, extended its assistance to the stricken people of Hungary; and

Whereas the Red Cross continues to maintain the largest single program in the Nation for the collection and distribution of blood and blood derivatives, providing approximately two million pints of blood annually for the treatment of the sick and injured; and

Whereas the activities of the Junior Red Cross contribute to the development of good citizenship and social responsibility among the youth of our Nation; and

Whereas through its programs of First Aid, Water Safety, and Home Nursing, as well as other voluntary community services, the Red Cross helps to safeguard the health of millions of our people:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America and Honorary Chairman of the American National Red Cross, do hereby designate March 1957 as Red Cross Month; and I urge all Americans to honor the Red Cross during that month and to support this organization throughout the year to assure the continuing effectiveness of its programs and services.

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 26th day of February in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-first.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

By the President:

JOHN FOSTER DULLES,

Secretary of State