[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1322-E1323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERISM FROM RIVERSIDE ROTARY CLUB

                                 ______


                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 22, 1995
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, one of the things that makes America truly 
great is our spirit of volunteerism--the willingness of citizens from 
all backgrounds to give of their time and their efforts to make the 
community better in which they live and work. One organization that has 
been a shining example of this is the Riverside Rotary Club. During its 
75-year history, members have worked to make Riverside a better place 
for all its residents.
  In its recent history, Sherm Babcock was our Rotary Club president 
for the 1970-71 year. Sherm started out by going to the international 
convention in Atlanta, GA. He also led a large delegation of Rotarians 
to the district assembly the following month.
  A significant administrative charge took place with the new position 
of sergeant at arms. Frank Lindeburg, an entertaining character, was 
the fine master and made the change a success. To this day the position 
of sergeant at arms is a coveted position in our club.
  Sports were a big transition in Rotary in Sherm's year. Some of the 
activities were: the club sponsored a team in the UCR baseball 
tournament; the club fielded a team in the service club bowling league; 
and a number of golf tournaments were conducted.
  The scholarship fund that had been initiated the prior year by past 
president John Cote was enhanced considerably. Today, this scholarship 
fund exceeds $170,000 and numerous academic scholarships are awarded 
each year to deserving high school students.
  During the 1970's, Rotary was led by many prominent individuals. Jack 
Williams, president in 1971-72 led our club in constructing platforms 
for tents at the Boy Scout camp in Idylwild--was also instrumental in 
having our club donate a wheelchair to the UCR Health Center.
  Ralph Hill, President in 1972-73 kept up the good work from prior 
years and added to it by hosting the United Fund Kickoff luncheon. This 
was significant since many of our members were key contributors to the 
United Fund.
  In 1973-74 Rotary was involved in many events. Irv Hall led the club 
this year. Some different things Rotary became involved in included 
sending scholarships to Cuautia, Mexico, which was a sister city of 
Riverside. Rotary also contributed to the Ralph Johnson Memorial at 
Twin Pines Ranch. The old YMCA building, known as the Gheel House, had 
its interior painted by Rotarians. The club also enjoyed itself through 
a trip to the Queen Mary.
  In 1974-75 Jim Davidson, our president, continued work at Twin Pines 
Ranch through the club's donation for the ranch's swimming pool. We 
also celebrated a joint meeting with the Soroptomists, a women's 
organization dedicated to community service.
  The Mission Inn had been closed for some time but in 1975-76, Herman 
Reed's year as president, we moved back to the Mission Inn. Apparently, 
it was a welcomed return since the club had been having problems with 
the different establishments in which it had been meeting.
  During this 1975-76 year many service projects were accomplished. 
Rotary contributed carpeting and linoleum to the Riverside County 
Association for Crippled Children. We also contributed significantly to 
the Special Olympics. As usual, we celebrated our special meetings for 
our significant others as well as our continued sponsorship of the ROTC 
awards at Poly High School.
  In 1976-77 Bill Williams was our president and he led the club in 
starting the ambitious project of repairing and remodeling the kitchen 
portion of the Carriage House which is located in the Heritage House 
property. This required many Rotarians to roll up their sleeves and do 
some worthwhile manual labor. The results, which were realized some 
years later, were outstanding and very much appreciated by the 
community.
  Frank Lindeburg, our president for 1977-78 was active in continuing 
the Carriage House project. We also organized an auction which was tied 
into the party for a club fundraiser. Being the UCR athletic director, 
he organized a baseball game against the Riverside Kiwanians. He was 
also instrumental in designing a program for the fire department's 
emergency program. The club's budget seemed to be in good shape because
 Frank led the club to invest its surplus funds. And, of course, the 
food service at the Mission Inn came under some criticism. Some things 
never change.

  In 1978-79, San Landis was club president and kept the club operating 
smoothly. The work at the Carriage House was still going on and the 
usual special meetings with our wives and others brought enjoyment to 
all.
  Ron Drayson, our president in 1979-80, kept the Carriage House 
project going. He was also responsible for sponsoring the 4H contest 
which was held at the Agricultural Park. He redesigned club banners 
presented to visiting Rotarians and organized a Riverside-San Bernadino 
golf match at Arrowhead Country Club.
  The new work project was undertaken under the presidency of Greg 
MacDonald in 1980- [[Page E 1323]] 81. Greg being one of our youngest 
presidents, had a lot of energy and was responsible for starting the 
work on Agricultural Park.
  John Beal, our president in 1981-82, had an extraordinary year for 
the club. He was reponsibile for inviting the then Rotary international 
president, Stan McCraffey, to Riverside to speak at the Paul Harris 
Foundation Dinner at Raincross Square. This was the only time in 
Riverside Rotary's history that the international president had visited 
our community.
  John also organized the only joint effort ever held with the Kiwani's 
Club of Riverside. The joint meeting was held to honor members of the 
law enforcement community. The speaker was the then-Attorney General, 
George Deukmejian. John also had the club host the District 4 speech 
contest along with having club members man the Salvation Army Kettle.
  In 1982-83 Gene LaHusen became president and continued the work on 
the Agricultural Park. Harvey Ostzon, president in 1983-84, was most 
responsible for making the Agricultural Park a reality. He led the work 
parties to refurbish the park. He also led the club in organizing an 
auction which was a major fundraiser.
  In 1984-85, Frank Gooley was our president and promptly faced a 
problem about where we would meet since the Mission Inn was closing 
down for restoration purposes. We finally moved to the UCR commons and 
then to the Holiday Inn. Frank's major accomplishment was organizing a 
raffle with the other Rotary Club's in the city which raised $13,500 
for the Agricultural Park.
  Paul Birgdain, our leader during the 1985-86 year kept the club 
moving along in fine fashion. We finished our work at the Agricultural 
Park during Paul's year.
  Bill McGuian became our president for the 1986-87 year which became 
significant in club history since ours was the first club in the 
district to admit a woman member. Sandra Leer, a family law 
practitioner, was sponsored by Tom Holienhorst and was our first female 
member. Bill also saw our meetings moved to the Sheraton Hotel as the 
Mission Inn was still being restored. The Riverside East Club, a new 
Rotary club, was nurtured by our club as well as hosting the GSE team 
from Australia. This was the year we established our scholarship 
committee as a permanent standing committee.
  Lee Lombard, our president in 1987-88, started the Dinner Theater 
which became our principal fundraiser. We also hosted the GSE team from 
Denmark. It was in Lee's year that the Rotary International committed 
to eradicating polio worldwide. Our club successfully contributed to 
the program under Lee's leadership.
  Palle Gylov became our president in 1988-89 and vigorously promoted 
the Dinner Theatre which was a resounding success. Palle also held up 
well during his year considering that our long time executive 
secretary, Floretta Pico, retired during his tenure.
  In 1989-90 Bob Probizanski, our new president, continued the 
tradition of the Dinner Theatre. He involved many Rotarians and it 
continued to be the highlight of our Rotary year. He also organized a 
tour of the jail newly constructed in downtown Riverside.
  Hark Kline, our president in 1990-91, continued the Dinner Theatre 
tradition with a new twist: it became the Mystery Dinner Theatre. 
Although a little lengthy, it still raised funds for our club for the 
good works we were contributing to. We also attended a Red Wave 
baseball game, a new minor league team, based in Riverside and playing 
out of the UCR Sports Center.
  De Armstrong, our president for 1991-92, continued trying to solve 
the problem about where our club should meet. We moved to the Art 
Museum during his year. De, being a musician, did a tremendous job in
 organizing our Dinner Theatre, adding a touch of class with his 
musical talents.

  The highlight of Jim Milam's year was the visit of then President 
Bush to Riverside. Rotary was the host and it was a great success as 
many Rotarians from all over the district attended to listen to our 
President.
  During Jim's Year, Rotary reached out to our youth by adopting an 
elementary school in the downtown area. Bryant School became the 
recipient of work projects by Rotarians, of books donated to the 
school, and of the presence of Rotarians at monthly school assemblies.
  Gary Orso, club president in 1993-94, saw the club return to the 
Mission Inn as well as continuing the Bryant School project. The Dinner 
Theatre tradition continued but was augmented by a silent auction which 
was responsible for raising a significant sum of money for our 
community projects. Of course, our youth continued to be served by our 
club through our contributions to RYLA and our scholarship program.
  Bob Brown became our president in 1994-95 and had overseen the 
celebration of the club's 75th anniversary. Being recognized by our 
District 5330 at numerous district events has brought price to our 
club. The Bryant School project has been expanded to include tutoring 
and mentoring to club members. Students from Bryant School worked with 
our club and the Riverside Downtown Association in planting a Rotary 
garden in the downtown area. Although finances have always been a 
problem Bob has led the club through the toughest of recessionary times 
and the future looks very bright.
  Indeed, Mr. Speaker, the Riverside Rotary Club has been an important 
fixture in the Riverside community. On behalf of the people of the 43d 
Congressional District, I wish to extend my thanks and sincere 
congratulations for their exceptional work throughout the community 
during their 75-year history.