[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1682-S1683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 62--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A ``ROTARY 
 INTERNATIONAL DAY'' AND CELEBRATING AND HONORING ROTARY INTERNATIONAL 
             ON THE OCCASION OF ITS CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Obama, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Feingold) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 62

       Whereas Rotary International, founded on February 23, 1905, 
     in Chicago, Illinois, is the world's first service club and 1 
     of the largest nonprofit service organizations;
       Whereas there are more than 1.2 million Rotary 
     International club members comprised of professional and 
     business leaders in more than 31,000 clubs in more than 165 
     countries;
       Whereas the Rotary International motto, ``Service Above 
     Self'', inspires members to provide humanitarian service, 
     meet high ethical standards, and promote international good 
     will;
       Whereas Rotary International funds club projects and 
     sponsors volunteers with community expertise to provide 
     medical supplies, health care, clean water, food production, 
     job training, and education to millions in need, particularly 
     in developing countries;
       Whereas in 1985, Rotary International launched Polio Plus 
     and spearheaded efforts with the World Health Organization, 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF to 
     immunize the children of the world against polio;
       Whereas polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988, 
     and the world now stands on the threshold of eradicating the 
     disease;
       Whereas Rotary International is the largest privately-
     funded source of international scholarships in the world and 
     promotes international understanding through scholarships, 
     exchange programs, and humanitarian grants;

[[Page S1683]]

       Whereas since 1947, more than 35,000 students from 110 
     countries have studied abroad as Rotary Ambassadorial 
     Scholars;
       Whereas Rotary International's Group Study Exchange program 
     has helped more than 46,000 young professionals explore 
     career fields in other countries;
       Whereas 8,000 secondary school students each year 
     experience life in another country through Rotary 
     International's Youth Exchange Program;
       Whereas over the past 5 years, members of Rotary 
     International in all 50 States have hosted participants in 
     Open World, a program sponsored by the Library of Congress, 
     and therefore have earned the honor of serving as Open 
     World's most outstanding host;
       Whereas there are approximately 400,000 Rotary 
     International club members in more than 7,700 clubs 
     throughout the United States sponsoring service projects to 
     address critical issues such as poverty, health, hunger, 
     illiteracy, and the environment in their local communities 
     and abroad; and
       Whereas February 23, 2005, would be an appropriate date on 
     which to observe Rotary International Day: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of a ``Rotary 
     International Day'' to celebrate the centennial anniversary 
     of Rotary International; and
       (2) recognizes Rotary International for 100 years of 
     service to improving the human condition in communities 
     throughout the world.

                          ____________________