[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 4, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ROTARY CENTENNIAL

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, as we begin a new year and a new Congress, 
more than 1.2 million Rotarians in 166 countries are beginning the 
centennial celebration of Rotary International.
  On February 23, 1905, the Rotary Club of Chicago was formed by Paul 
P. Harris, an attorney who wanted to recapture the friendly spirit of 
small-town America in a big-city professional club. The new group took 
its name from the practice of rotating club meetings among members' 
offices.
  Rotary quickly grew, with clubs forming across the country and around 
the world. At the same time, the organization's interests expanded from 
social and professional interests to community service.
  Along with public service, Rotary has given the world a high standard 
of ethics known as the 4-Way Test. This test asks the following four 
questions of the things we think, say, or do:
  1. Is it the truth?
  2. Is it fair to all concerned?
  3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
  4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
  During and after World War II, Rotary International became deeply 
involved in efforts to promote global peace and understanding. Rotary 
members actively supported the founding of the United Nations and 
helped to establish UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, 
and Cultural Organization.
  In recent years, Rotary International has helped communities around 
the world to address some of the critical needs of our day, including 
disease, hunger, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and children at 
risk. Rotary has been the lead organization in PolioPlus, a global 
effort to immunize all the world's children against polio.
  On the occasion of the Rotary Centennial, I send my sincere 
appreciation and best wishes to Rotary International and Rotarians 
everywhere.

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