American Red Cross was founded in 1881. Congress recognized the organization in 1990 by giving it an official charter. The document established how the Red Cross should operate and what its work should include.

　　美国红十字会创建于1881年，国会在1990年正式承认这一组织，并给它制定了正式章程。该文件规定红十字会应如何工作以及它的工作范围。

　　American Red Cross almost became part of American forces in world War I .During the war the organization changed its policy of remaining neutral.American Red Cross would treat wounded enemy soldiers ，but relief workers would not cross battle lines to help them.Red Cross workers also helped American soldiers communicate with their families at home .That was the beginning of American Red Cross services to American military men.

　　美国红十字会在第一次世界大战中，几乎成为美国部队的一部分。大战期间，该组织改变了它保持中立的政策。红十字会给敌军伤员治疗，但救护人员不愿越过战线去帮助他们。红十字会工作人员还帮助美国士兵与其在国内的家属取得联系，这是红十字会给美国军人服务的开始。

　　After the war the Red Cross continued to expand. It helped the war refugees in Europe.At home it began a program to vaccinate children against infectious childhood diseases. When World War II started ，the American Red Cross again offered its volunteer efforts to help the military.

　　战后美国红十字会继续扩大。在欧州它帮助战争难民。在国内开展了接种计划，予防儿童传染病等。二次世界大战开始后，美国红十字会再次主动提出为军方服务。

　　Today American Red Cross has about 230，000 paid workers， but it depends on people who work for no money. More than one and half million Americans are trained Red Cross volunteers. The organization is completely independent from the government. It gets all its money as gifts from citizens and businessed. All its services are free.

　　今天的美国红十字会拥有大约23万领工资的工作人员，但它主要依靠无偿工作者。有50万美国人接受训练担当红十字会志愿人员。美国红十字会完全独立于政府，其所有的资金均为公民及企业的礼品赠送。红十字会的服务是免费的。帮助军人家属和退伍军人，仍然是红十字会最大的任务之一。它还以采血而知名。这项工作始于二战期间，红十字会要求平民献血帮助伤员。和平时期该项工作仍继续进行。医.学教.育网搜.集整理

　　Assistance to military families and to former soldiers remains one of the largest Red Cross programs .It is also well-known for its blood collection progrm. The program began during World war II. The Red Cross urged civilians to give their blood to help wounded soldiers.The program continued in peace time. Today most guards at beaches and swimming pools in the U.S. are trained and proved by the Red Corss .The Red Cross is also known for training Americans in how to give emergency medical aid to accident victims.And it sets up Red Cross nursing program.These nurses work to improve public health.

　　今天在美国海滩和游泳池工作的大部分救护人员均经红十字会培训或批准。红十字会以培训美国人给事故受害者进行医务抢救而著称。它还建立了红十字会护理培训。培训后的护士致力于改善公众的健康。

　　The Red Cross may be best known for its disaster relief efforts， It offers emergency aid of all kinds to people suffering from effects of fires， storms ，floods and earthquakes .One disaster expert notes，almost every town in America has its Red Cross Group that can move as fast as bad news.

　　或许红十字会是以它在发生灾害时所进行的抢救工作而知名的。它为火灾、暴风雨、洪水和地震等的受害者提供各种紧急救护。一位救灾专家说：“几乎美国每一个镇上都有红十字小组。他们的行动同坏消息的传递一样快。”