[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E952]]
       SUPPORTING GOALS AND IDEALS OF A ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution.
  As the resolution notes, Rotary was founded in Chicago, Illinois, on 
23 February 1905, and Rotarians now have set an example of a full 
century of service to their communities.
  But Rotary is more than history. Today there are more than 400,000 
Rotarians in the United States and more than 1.2 million Rotarians in 
over 32,000 clubs in 166 nations throughout the world--including 20 
clubs in Colorado's 2nd Congressional District alone.
  Rotarians provide tangible demonstrations of the power of their ideal 
and motto of ``Service Above Self'' by their efforts around the world 
toward elimination of diseases and the improvement of health as well as 
the provision of potable water and education for all. And over the 
years, through The Rotary Foundation, they have provided generously for 
undertakings that have improved the condition of people in all parts of 
the world.
  In particular, Rotary International and its members have provided 
essential support toward the eradication of polio, measles, and other 
diseases, including donations of more than $600 million toward this 
cause, and have provided vaccines for immunizing over 2 billion 
children in the world. And in addition, Rotary Clubs annually provide 
tens of millions of dollars of local and global humanitarian support 
through grants, the services of Rotary Volunteers and matching grants.
  In the field of education, Rotary Clubs collectively are among the 
largest private provider of scholarships in the history of the world, 
annually providing scholarships to tens of thousands of students. Also, 
Rotary International has sent over 200,000 students on Youth Exchange 
programs that foster understanding of people throughout the world as 
well as the development of leaders who go on to serve society. And 
Rotary International has provided $80 million to promote Group Study 
Exchanges of over 42,000 young adults for extended visits to other 
countries and to the United States where they learn, teach and create 
deep relationships, understanding and appreciation for different 
cultures.
  So, it is very appropriate for Congress, through this resolution, to 
recognize Rotary International and Rotarians in every State and around 
the world as they commemorate and celebrate Rotary's centennial and to 
encourage them to work for even greater success in their second century 
of service.

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