PRINTER'S NO. 2479
No. 404 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY MELIO, SEPTEMBER 25, 2007
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 25, 2007
A RESOLUTION
1 Observing the month of September 2007 as "National Preparedness
2 Month" in Pennsylvania and urging the residents of this
3 Commonwealth to take advantage of nationwide and Statewide
4 initiatives which show individuals how to make emergency
5 preparedness kits, create a family emergency plan, become
6 informed about possible threats and become active
7 participants in preparing their communities for emergencies.
8 WHEREAS, "National Preparedness Month" is a nationwide effort
9 to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for
10 emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools; and
11 WHEREAS, "National Preparedness Month" has a goal of
12 increasing public awareness about the importance of preparing
13 for emergencies and encouraging individuals to take action
14 through simple steps, such as making an emergency preparedness
15 kit, creating a family emergency plan, becoming informed about
16 different threats and getting involved in preparing communities
17 for emergencies; and
18 WHEREAS, Governor Rendell has proclaimed September 2007 as
19 "National Preparedness Month" in this Commonwealth; and
20 WHEREAS, The American Red Cross, a true leader in
1 preparedness with 48 chapters in this State alone, continues to
2 provide life-saving services to an estimated 12.5 million
3 residents in Pennsylvania; and
4 WHEREAS, A recent poll found that only 7% of Americans are
5 considered "Red Cross Ready" for a disaster, meaning they have a
6 disaster supplies kit, a communication plan and are prepared to
7 respond to disasters and everyday emergencies; and
8 WHEREAS, Experience tells us that by preparing ahead of time,
9 people can better respond to, recover from and lessen the
10 physical, emotional and financial impact of a disaster or other
11 emergency; and
12 WHEREAS, The American Red Cross continues to demonstrate the
13 impact of its preparedness work by collecting almost 400,000
14 pints of blood from Pennsylvania residents, responding to 3,186
15 disaster incidents affecting almost to 5,000 families, training
16 almost 310,000 Pennsylvanians in lifesaving techniques, reaching
17 almost one million people with general preparedness education,
18 responding to more than 10,000 requests for armed forces
19 emergency communication and mobilizing nearly 42,000 volunteers
20 to provide Red Cross programs and services in our communities;
21 and
22 WHEREAS, It is easy for anyone to prepare for a disaster and
23 other emergencies by taking the three simple action steps of
24 getting a kit, making a plan and staying informed; and
25 WHEREAS, Preparedness should be an ongoing set of activities
26 undertaken by Pennsylvania's residents, businesses and schools;
27 therefore be it
28 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the work
29 done by the American Red Cross by its 48 chapters covering all
30 67 counties in Pennsylvania; and be it further
20070H0404R2479 - 2 -
1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives observe the month
2 of September 2007 as "National Preparedness Month" in
3 Pennsylvania and urge the residents of this Commonwealth to take
4 advantage of nationwide and Statewide initiatives which show
5 individuals how to make emergency preparedness kits, create a
6 family emergency plan, become informed about different threats
7 and get involved in preparing their communities for emergencies
8 throughout the year.
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