[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 22, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S7067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING ROTARY INTERNATIONAL'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today I want to take a moment to 
pay tribute to Rotary International as the organization celebrates its 
100th anniversary this week in Chicago. Paul P. Harris' establishment 
of the original Chicago chapter heralded an era of philanthropic 
activity and community building that has flourished throughout the last 
century. Rotary International's extensive public service stands as an 
example of what we can accomplish through organization and commitment 
to the common good.
  Since its inception, our nation has relied on the cooperation of 
disparate communities to achieve common goals. Rotary Clubs provide a 
critical forum of communication for leaders from a wide variety of 
backgrounds to share information and ideas. Through Rotary, men and 
women from myriad professions can share thoughts from their distinct 
perspectives. These perspectives are what gives Rotary its great 
strength, and have enabled the organization to accomplish so much in 
the last century.
  Without a doubt, one of those great accomplishments has been Rotary 
International's work, begun in 1985, to eradicate polio through its 
PolioPlus program. Thanks to the efforts of Rotarians worldwide, the 
Western Hemisphere, Europe, and the Western Pacific have been declared 
polio-free. Rotary's continuing success combating polio provides hope 
to the world's health community as we struggle against the ravages of 
disease. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of S. Res. 62, a 
resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a ``Rotary International 
Day'' and celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion 
of its centennial anniversary. Last Congress, I was also pleased to be 
the lead Democratic co-sponsor of S. Con. Res. 111, a resolution 
expressing the sense of the U.S. Congress that a commemorative stamp 
should be issued in honor of the centennial anniversary of Rotary 
International and its work to eradicate this disease.
  In addition to Rotary's work to combat polio, the organization also 
provides indispensable support to students. The Rotary Student of the 
Month program consistently encourages high school students to become 
leaders in their schools and communities, while the Rotary scholarship 
program provides funds for deserving students.
  The list of Rotary's contributions to our communities goes on and on. 
I join people across the U.S., and around the world this year who honor 
Rotary's many accomplishments as the organization celebrates 100 years 
of service. I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations and best 
wishes for the organization's next 100 years.




                          ____________________