[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.