[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 15 (Monday, February 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E226-E227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 14, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the centennial of 
Rotary International. On February 23, 1905, four Chicago businessmen, 
Paul Harris, Silvester Schiele, Gustavus Loehr and Hiram Shorey, formed 
the first Rotary Club, which they hoped would foster fellowship and 
community service. Three years after the first Rotary Club was 
established, the second club was founded in San Francisco. Rotary now 
has a presence in 165 countries around the world.
  Guided by the principle of ``service above self,'' Rotary has devised 
a four way test for its members. Rotarians ask of the things they say 
or do: Is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build good 
will and better friendships and will it be beneficial to all concerned. 
Rotarians perform all actions regardless of political affiliation or 
ethnicity.
  Our distinguished colleague the Honorable Thomas P. ``Tip'' O'Neill 
was widely known for his friendly admonition that all politics is 
local. This is true for Rotary whose global reach begins at the local 
level. In 1985, local Rotary Club members pledged to stamp out polio 
with the PolioPlus campaign. Since then, Rotarians have raised hundreds 
of millions of dollars to vaccinate people all over the world with the 
goal of eliminating polio by the end of this year. Rotary International 
is also playing an active role in responding to the tsunami and 
earthquake victims in South and Southeast Asia. I am proud to announce 
that Rotary District 5150, of which my Congressional District is part 
of, has responded by donating over $50,000 to the relief effort in the 
month following the disaster. Rotary District 5150 has set a noble goal 
to raise $250,000 for tsunami relief, and is also attempting to 
establish a ``Rotary village'' of permanent dwellings in Sri Lanka.
  The Rotary Club is also the largest privately funded source of 
international scholarships. Each year, over 1,100 university students 
receive some $26 million in scholarships for the Rotary Ambassador 
Scholarship. Since its inception in 1947, over 30,000 extraordinary men 
and women from over 100 nations have benefited from the Rotary 
Ambassador Scholarship and have used such a wonderful opportunity to 
promote global understanding and solidarity. Each year, Rotary District 
5150 contributes to this deserving program by sending an exceptional 
student abroad with an Ambassador Scholarship. It is through these 
generous grants and other scholarships, that the Rotary empowers a new 
generation of leaders, furthers peace in the global community and 
upholds service as the highest of ideals.
  Mr. Speaker, because Rotary International recognizes the importance 
of a global worldview, it has recently launched Rotary

[[Page E227]]

Centers for International Studies at eight prestigious universities 
worldwide. These Rotary Centers offer graduate degrees in peace and 
conflict studies to a group of 70 Rotary World Peace Scholars chosen 
annually in a worldwide competitive selection process.
  As well as supporting higher education, Rotary is fighting illiteracy 
worldwide. Of particular note is Rotary's literacy program in Thailand. 
Lighthouses for Literacy, has proven so successful that the Thai 
government has adopted Rotary's method fighting mass illiteracy.
  Mr. Speaker, Rotary has grown exponentially from the humble 
beginnings of 4 men working to foster fellowship and community service, 
to a multinational organization of 1.2 million men and women who belong 
to more than 29,600 clubs worldwide. At home and abroad, Rotary 
International members are bringing positive change to their 
communities; I applaud their many efforts to strengthen our social 
fabric.

  I would like to extend special congratulations to the clubs in Rotary 
District 5150, which encompasses much of the Bay Area. Many of these 
clubs are located in my Congressional District. I have had the pleasure 
to meet with many members of District 5150 and count Rotarians as my 
friends. It is a great honor for me today to recognize their many 
services of goodwill to their communities and celebrate this important 
milestone. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Rotary 
International on their centennial anniversary.

                          ____________________