[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                BIRMINGHAM ROTARY CLUB 75TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the 
Birmingham Rotary Club on the occasion of their 75th Anniversary of 
service to the community.
  The Birmingham Rotary Club was organized on March 19, 1924, by 
fifteen of the community, business and professional leaders. The club 
has an illustrious past with many local activities attributed to or 
begun by the Rotary Club including The Halloween Parade. At Seaholm 
High School, they dedicated the Rotary Memorial in 1950 to those who 
have died in service to our country, sculpted by Marshall Fredericks, 
also a Birmingham Rotarian and in 1992, a baseball scoreboard. The J.B. 
Howarth City Park was dedicated and named for a Birmingham Rotarian. 
Kenning Park is named for Bob Kenning (Retired City Manager of 
Birmingham), also a Birmingham Rotarian and past club president.
  The Club has made numerous contributions to the community from 
furnishing the Rotary Room at the Baldwin Library and computer system 
at the Community House to the elevator and picnic shelter at Springdale 
Park. In addition, they support numerous schools, community groups and 
those who are less fortunate during Thanksgiving and the holiday 
season. Rotary has hosted international exchange students and has 
sponsored local students to go abroad through the International Rotary 
Scholarship Foundation.
  Currently, the Birmingham Rotary Club is helping establish an 
Interact Club at Seaholm High School to involve high school age 
students in ``Service Above Self''. They are also supporting Polio 
Plus, to eradicate Polio worldwide by the year 2000, with a sizeable 
donation from all of the membership.
  Over the past 75 years, the Birmingham Rotary Club has had a positive 
influence in the community and around the world. Through the tireless 
dedication and leadership of their 140 person membership, the Club's 
influence will only continue to grow and benefit those in the community 
and those who are less fortunate.
  As one of Michigan's finest examples of volunteerism, I want to 
express my congratulations to all members of the Birmingham Rotary Club 
in recognition of their 75th Anniversary.

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