Ambassador Garza Underscores the Need To Be Generous at Red Cross Blood Drive

Mexico City, September 11 - "Today is a day that reminds us that we need to be generous; that we should take time to be mindful of the needs of others," said Ambassador Garza as he prepared to enter the Red Cross donation van. "The terrorist attacks in our country several years ago highlighted that in times of emergency, one really relies on other people.

"That was true in the case of the United States after 9/11, it was true in Colima after the earthquake in January, and that is also true in the cases of more personal emergencies that happen every day.

"As President Bush has said so many times, Mexico is a great friend to the United States. This friendship is not just from country to country, but a relationship between our people and the Mexican people.

Remarking on the presence of the van inside the Embassy perimeter, he added: "For the last two years, the Mexican Red Cross has come to the Embassy in order to make it easy for our employees to donate blood, which is used in Mexican hospitals. Donating blood is a tangible way to express our friendship. I am so pleased that I'm able to be here with Lic. Gisela Casarín, Directora de Comunicación for the Cruz Roja Mexicana.

"I became friends with the President of the Cruz Roja (Red Cross), Olegario Vázquez Raña, on a visit to Colima to deliver disaster relief after the earthquake. I'm happy to have another opportunity to highlight the terrific work of the Cruz Roja, Amb. Garza concluded."

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