III 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 62 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2005 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Obama, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Feingold) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of a Rotary International Day and celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.

Whereas Rotary International, founded on February 23, 1905, in Chicago, Illinois, is the world’s first service club and 1 of the largest nonprofit service organizations; Whereas there are more than 1.2 million Rotary International club members comprised of professional and business leaders in more than 31,000 clubs in more than 165 countries; Whereas the Rotary International motto, Service Above Self, inspires members to provide humanitarian service, meet high ethical standards, and promote international good will; Whereas Rotary International 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; Whereas in 1985, Rotary International launched Polio Plus and spearheaded efforts with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF to immunize the children of the world against polio; Whereas polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988, and the world now stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease; Whereas Rotary International is the largest privately-funded source of international scholarships in the world and promotes international understanding through scholarships, exchange programs, and humanitarian grants; Whereas since 1947, more than 35,000 students from 110 countries have studied abroad as Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars; Whereas Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange program has helped more than 46,000 young professionals explore career fields in other countries; Whereas 8,000 secondary school students each year experience life in another country through Rotary International’s Youth Exchange Program; Whereas over the past 5 years, members of Rotary International in all 50 States have hosted participants in Open World, a program sponsored by the Library of Congress, and therefore have earned the honor of serving as Open World's most outstanding host; Whereas there are approximately 400,000 Rotary International club members in more than 7,700 clubs throughout the United States sponsoring service projects to address critical issues such as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment in their local communities and abroad; and Whereas February 23, 2005, would be an appropriate date on which to observe Rotary International Day: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)supports the goals and ideals of a Rotary International Day to celebrate the centennial anniversary of Rotary International; and (2)recognizes Rotary International for 100 years of service to improving the human condition in communities throughout the world.