While it seems like moments ago that the country experienced the most tragic attack in our history, six months have passed. The destruction that was brought upon our nation that horrible day is only exceeded by the silent strength of our citizens that emerged in the weeks following. Millions and millions of Americans came forward with unprecedented generosity, commitment and resolve.

Never before has there been such an outpouring across America of generous gifts of time and money from individuals, businesses, associations, children, faith-based organizations and others. In the past six months nearly 40% of American families directed their help and compassion through the American Red Cross.

The generosity has enabled the Red Cross to provide one-on-one assistance to more than 54,000 families in the affected communities, across the nation and around the world. While the work continues in New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, Red Cross Chapters have reached out to families wherever they maybe to help provide a road to recovery as they come to grips with the loss of loved one's.

On that day we painfully remember, Red Cross volunteers and staff responded at the site of the attack immediately, providing first aid, mental health and spiritual counseling and helping to establish relief centers for rescue and recovery workers. More than 14 million meals have been served to survivors and emergency personnel.

The work continues as the people of our nation are in varying stages of recovery from September 11th.

Since that day, the American Red Cross alone has spent $558 million to meet immediate needs of those most directly affected. Our plan, assembled by former Senator George Mitchell, who is volunteering as an independent overseer of the Red Cross Liberty Fund, emphasizes the prompt disbursement of additional financial aid, while at the same time, maintaining the Red Cross commitment to help people with ongoing or unanticipated needs.

With these generous contributions, the Red Cross has already provided direct assistance to 3,266 families of the deceased or seriously injured, 51,000 families of residents, displaced workers and disaster responders and over 232,000 mental health services.

More than 54,000 Red Cross relief workers, 96% of them volunteers, have left their homes and families to ensure that individual and compassionate help is provided to people affected by the events of September 11th. It is our honor, once again, to be by the side of those who need us.

Locally, the Red Cross response to the tragic event was swift and sure. Our 69 disaster volunteers were put on alert, our emergency response vehicle was readied for action and our staff and volunteers geared up to respond to what would ultimately be thousands of phone calls, visitors and blood donors who wanted…in fact needed to… respond to the relief effort. In addition, 7 trained disaster volunteers from our area have served at Ground Zero.

The silent strength of America was evident right here in our area as proof that terrorism will not overcome. Hundreds and hundreds of people waited in long lines to give blood, never complaining, only resolute to the task at hand. Many, many more individuals began to raise funds including my son's 3rd grade class at Lincoln Park Elementary School who broke open piggy banks at home to support the relief effort.

While America's attention has been focussed on September 11th, other disasters have been occurring, from single family fires to weather related calamities. The Red Cross has been there the same as always, for victims of 32,000 disasters that have occurred in the past six months.

Locally, while responding to this great national tragedy, the Red Cross continued its mission of helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to life's emergencies, helping save lives everyday. Just since September 11th, your local Red Cross Chapter has:

• Helped 51 families whose homes were destroyed by fire.
• Opened a shelter for those forced from their home by the recent massive power outages.
• Organized 144 blood drives that collected 5,710 units of blood.
• Sent 84 emergency messages between families and their loved ones in the Armed Forces.
• Provided 9,583 trips for senior citizens to dialysis and medical appointments.
• Trained over 4,600 individuals in life saving CPR, first aid and water safety.
• Assisted 171 low income families with their heating bill.