Rotary International Proclamation
Unanimously approved and read at the 109th U.S. Congress
WHEREAS, Rotary International, founded on
February 23, 1905 in Chicago, Illinois USA, is the world's first and one
of the largest non-profit service organizations; and
WHEREAS, there are over 1.2 million Rotary club members comprised of
professional and business leaders in over 31,000 clubs in more than 165
countries; and
WHEREAS, the Rotary motto "Service Above Self" inspires members to provide
humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and promote good
will and peace in the world; and
WHEREAS, Rotary funds club projects and sponsors volunteers with community
expertise to provide medical supplies, health care, clean water, food
production, job training, and education to millions in need, particularly
in developing countries; and
WHEREAS, Rotary in 1985 launched Polio Plus and spearheaded efforts with
the World Health Organization, U.S Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, and UNICEF to immunize the children of the world against
polio; and
WHEREAS, polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988 and the world
stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease; and
WHEREAS, Rotary is the world's largest privately-funded source of
international scholarships and promotes international understanding
through scholarships, exchange programs and humanitarian grants; and
WHEREAS, more than 35,000 students from 110 countries have studied abroad
since 1947 as Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars; and
WHEREAS, Rotary's Group Study Exchange program has helped more than 46,000
young professionals explore their career fields in other countries; and
WHEREAS, 8,000 secondary-school students each year experience life in
another country through Rotary's Youth Exchange Program; and
WHEREAS, there are over 387,000 Rotary club members in more than 7,700
clubs throughout the United States sponsoring service projects to address
such critical issues as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the
environment in their local communities, and abroad.
Therefore, we, the United States
Senate/House of Representatives, do hereby proclaim February 23, 2005, as
Rotary International Day and encourage all citizens to join us in
recognizing Rotary International for 100 years of service to improving the
human condition in local communities around the world. |
