Senate Resolution No. 1603

BY: Senator GALLIVAN

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 2024, as Preparedness Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2024, as Preparedness Month
in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Preparedness Month; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the month of September, the American Red Cross
encourages individuals to take action to plan and prepare for an
emergency and to donate blood; and

WHEREAS, Disasters can strike at any time and being prepared is both
a family's and an individual's best defense; supporting Red Cross blood
donation or giving blood is also critical to community preparedness
since hospitals need blood to respond to patient need; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross was founded in 1881, by Clara Barton
and is the United States' premier emergency response organization; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, approximately four million people
give blood to the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and
blood products in the Nation; all types are needed daily, but type O
negative, the universal blood type, is frequently in high demand; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, the American Red Cross, which relies on
donations of time, money and blood, has expanded its services, including
Disaster Services, with which this vital organization supports victims
of disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes, heat waves and
hurricanes; and

WHEREAS, This much needed support helps to pick up the pieces after
the disaster and may take the form of medical help, food safety, water
treatment, financial help, and emergency accommodation; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross recommends three simple actions to
prepare for weather-related disaster events and emergencies such as a
house fire: make a plan, build a kit, and be informed; and

WHEREAS, Hurricane Ida was a deadly and destructive Category 4
Atlantic hurricane that became the second-most damaging and intense
hurricane to strike the U.S. state of Louisiana on record, behind
Hurricane Katrina; and

WHEREAS, On August 29, 2021, the 18th anniversary of Hurricane
Katrina, Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana; as of
September 7th, a total of 97 deaths have been confirmed in relation to
Ida, including 77 in the United States and 20 in Venezuela; and

WHEREAS, After the storm passed, thousands of crew members were
deployed in Louisiana, and hundreds were rescued; power outages were

expected to last weeks, possibly up to a month and states of emergency
were declared for Louisiana and portions of the Northeast; and

WHEREAS, It is extremely important that this Legislative Body
properly informs all New Yorkers to observe Preparedness Month by taking
action and having a plan before disaster happens; it is also imperative
to keep pets safe from danger and communicate efficiently during a
disaster; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2024, as
Preparedness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.