The Rotary Balita no. 740 (February 25, 1954)

On Saturday, February 13th, at the Social Hall of Malacañang, President Ramon Magsaysay launched the 1954 Red Cross Fund Campaign during appropriate ceremonies. It was an important event which should be followed by every resident of the Philippines. The magnificent work done throughout the year by the Red Cross deserves that everyone make his best effort to help and the BALITA is bringing this event to the attention of the Rotarians who, being the recognized business and professional leaders in the community are called more than anybody else to help the Red Cross in its fund campaign. The importance of the launching ceremonies of February 13th was emphasized by President Magsaysay himself and by Secretary of Health, Dr. Paulino J. Garcia and Secretary of Finance, Jaime Hernandez. Both secretaries are our fellow Rotarians and their words should carry the necessary impulse for the Rotary Club to offer a practical, and eloquent expression of its interest in the worthy cause of the Red Cross. We are pleased to quote below the addresses delivered by President Ramon Magsaysay and Secretaries Paulino J. Garcia and Jaime Hernandez at the referred occasion. They will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration to our members. SPEECH DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY My Friends and Countrymen: I am proud and happy to launch this year's fund campaign of the Philippine National Red Cross. We are all familiar with the works of mercy and relief undertaken by the Red Cross in times of distress. We have seen this organization relieve suffering after a calamity, assuage the grief of those who have been bereaved, clothed the naked, minister to the sick and wounded, care for the needy and neglected. We know of the devoted service of its men and women to our boys in Korea, and to their dependents here at home. To carry out its mission of mercy and compassion, the Red Cross has had to depend on the kindness and generosity of our more fortunate countrymen. Today, with the opening of its fund drive, it will draw anew on their generous instincts and resources. It is probably true that those whose assistance will be solicited will never be the direct beneficiaries of their own generosity. But then, it is precisely this quality of selflessness that is challenged and tested by this campaign. Knowing the character of our people, knowing their readiness to extent a helping hand to their less fortunate brothers when the occasion demands, I know that the response to this challenge will be spirited and adequate. I call upon all citizens and residents of this country, regardless of nationality or creed, to support this year's fund campaign. I ask them to give generously of their means, time and personal services in furtherance of the aims and purposes of the Red Cross. Finally, I urge all national, provincial, city and municipal officials and school authorities to extend every support and cooperation to this campaign, and take active leadership towards its success in their respective communities. I thank you. Remarks of sec. of health Paulino J. Garcia, chairman, board of directors, PNRC Mr. President, Secretary Hernandez, my friends: It pleases me inordinately to note that my first official act for the Red Cross as Chairman of its governing body is to make a public appeal on an occasion as historic as this. the launching of the 1954 Red Cross fund drive. The Red Cross began, as we all know, as an organization to meet certain urgent human needs, primarily the needs of those in distress... in anguish... the needs of suffering. It is unnecessary for me to review on this occasion that very familiar and magnificent history of the Red Cross.... But we must remember that, although the Red Cross arose in response to the crying agony of soldiers on the battlefields, it also recognizes that peace, like war, has its casualties; that it is part of humanity's obligation to bind up the wounds of those who have been struck down by the outbursts of nature or by the impersonal cruelty of society, as well as those smitten on the field of battle. We must remember, too, that the Red Cross represents the most highly developed and enduring expression of our great tradition of volunteer humanitarian relief... the tradition by which people freely join together to meet imperative human needs through common action... moved by human sympathy and impelled by the spontaneous moral impulses of the individual. The ability of the Red Cross to mobilize and train hundreds of thousands of volunteers in great calamities, national emergencies and for the everyday needs of community life, is one of its greatest assets. Serving in many and various ways, these volunteers have repeatedly proven that the Red Cross is ever ready to help those who need its help These volunteers have helped to make the Red Cross great... they typify the great heart of humanity. Why do people dedicate themselves, as you and I dedicate ourselves, in our small way, to the ideal of the Red Cross?... Why do we work selflessly, year after year, without thought of personal reward?... What is the emotional basis for your interest and your loyalty to the Red Cross? The answer, I believe, is that something deep in our nature compels us to give part of ourselves in the service of others... that our innermost instincts prompt us to express ourselves not just in terms of receiving, but mostly in that of giving... and giving generously through the Red Cross is a magnificent outlet of this sublime impulse. Thank you. Remarks of sec. Jaime Hernandez, chairman, 1954 red cross national fund campaign Mr. President, Secretary García, my friends: We need only to recall recent events where the importance of the Red Cross was highly underscored to gain a full realization of what this world organization means to our life as a people and to the lives of all peoples of the world over. Once again this year, the Red Cross in our country gains bigger focus in our consciousness as the organization's annual fund appeal swings underway. An important point to remember at this time is the fact. that the Philippine National Red Cross is financed solely by voluntary contributions obtained through personal solicitation campaigns, organized and conducted by Red Cross chapters, as authorized by the Congressional Charter of the organization. Contrary to the common but erroneous belief, the Philippine National Red Cross does not receive any financial subsidy from the government in carrying out its various normal functions. Neither does the Red Cross participate or share in the proceeds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Moreover, the Philippine National Red Cross is not in any way affiliated with any of the federation of agencies that make an annual common appeal for funds. These points, therefore, would bring home the immense necessity of making the annual Red Cross fund campaign a success, as this annual fund campaign becomes all at once the pillar on which the Red Cross structure rests, the sole means by which it could carry out its multifarious obligations to our people. It would not be amiss to point out that the Philippine National Red Cross is not only governed by its Congressional Charter but by international treaties which define in specific terms the duties and obligations of the organization. The Red Cross, therefore, must maintain inviolate its individual character and identity as the national organization duly authorized by its Government in discharging national and international obligations. We must also bear in mind, more so at this stage of our national development, that the Philippine National Red Cross is a growing entity, that expands and develops as the welfare needs of our people expand and develop. We are a growing nation, moving forward at all points, and a growing nation must necessarily have growing needs. It is these needs, my friends, that the Red Cross is pledged to fill. It is food for thought to consider, however, that the growth in need among Philippine National Red Cross along financial Our people moves faster than the growth of the lines. more than ever, be ready to meet adequately and well, the need of our people, for which the Red Cross must provide. It would be trite to indicate here the fact that the Red Cross service could be as strong and effective only in so far as the resources of the organization are strong and effective, and ready to dispense with the requirements exacted of it.

Red Cross services could prosper only as long as all hands are at work to keep the symbol glowing, so that its rays of compassion may fall upon all within its reach. I thank you.