The resolutions committee of the 54th national convention of the American Red Cross rejected a proposal yesterday urging the Red Cross to pursue recognition by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Red Cross Societies of Magen David Adom. The proposal was submitted by Mark Powers on behalf of the Harrisburg; Pennsylvania chapter of the Red Cross.
The resolution stated in part that “Mogen David Adom (Red Shield of David Society of Israel) has met every criteria for admission to the family of Red cross societies except for an approved emblem. For the past 31 years; repeated efforts have been mode to have the symbol of Magen David Adom take its rightful place along side the other internationally recognized symbols the Red Cross, the Red Crescent of Moslem countries and the Red Lion and Sun of Iran.
“The National Board of Governors should appoint a committee consisting of board members to pursue immediate recognition of Magen David Adom by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the admission of Magen David Adom to the League of Red Cross Societies.”
Duane Johnson, manager of the Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, expressed the hope that the resolution would have been brought before the general convention and added that he believed that it could have passed. However, the resolutions committee did not present the resolution to the convention.
ISRAELI DELEGATION HONORED
Last evening, mayor Richard Berkley of Kansas City presented a key to the city to Prof Moshe Mony, head of the Israeli delegation of Magen David Adom at the convention, which also included Day Fraenkel, Dena Harris, Chaim and Sophie Alon. The American delegation was headed by Joseph Handelman, president of the American Red Magen David for Israel. The presentation took place at a private reception tendered by the Jewish Welfare Federation of Kansas City at their offices.
A similar presentation was made to George M. Elsey. President of the American Red Cross. Mony also presented Elsey with a medallion from Magen David Adom. In Elsey’s response, he professed the admiration of the American Red Cross for Magen David Adom and looked forward to the day when Magen David Adom would be totally recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
