[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 160 (Tuesday, December 7, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H8042-H8043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1727) recognizing Rotary International for 105
years of service to the world and commending members on their
dedication to the mission and principles of their organization.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1727
Whereas the mission of Rotary International is to provide
service to others, promote integrity, and advance world
understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of
business, professional, and community leaders;
Whereas Rotary International, founded in 1905, in Chicago,
Illinois, is the world's first service club and one of the
largest nonprofit service organizations;
Whereas there are more than 1,200,000 Rotary International
club members comprised of professional, community, and
business leaders in more than 34,000 clubs in over 200
countries and geographical areas;
Whereas the Rotary International motto, ``Service Above
Self'', inspires members to provide humanitarian service,
meet high ethical standards, and promote international
goodwill and peace;
Whereas Rotary International promotes international
understanding through scholarships, exchange programs,
humanitarian grants, and service projects;
Whereas annual dues from members worldwide help finance
Rotary programs and service opportunities that are designed
to help Rotarians meet the needs of their own communities and
assist people worldwide;
Whereas the core values of Rotary International are
service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership;
and
Whereas the Four-Way Test of Rotary International promotes
universal values and asks the following questions, ``Of the
things we think, say or do: Is it the truth?; Is it fair to
all concerned?; Will it build goodwill and better
friendships?; and Will it be beneficial to all concerned?'':
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes
Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world
and commends members on their dedication to the mission and
principles of their organization.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1727, a measure
recognizing Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world,
and commending members on their dedication to the mission and
principles of their organization.
House Resolution 1727 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman
from Texas, Representative Lamar Smith, on November 18, 2010. The
measure enjoys bipartisan support from over 60 cosponsors.
Madam Speaker, most of us here are familiar with the work of our
local Rotary clubs. Their devotion to service makes a tremendous
difference in the lives of all of our communities and in communities
around the world. The projects that the over 34,000 Rotary clubs
sponsor are too numerous to list here, but some of Rotary
International's highest profile undertakings include PolioPlus, an
effort to eliminate polio around the world.
{time} 1440
They have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for that effort.
Another global undertaking by Rotary International has been an
aggressive effort to help solve the global water and sanitation crisis,
which claims over 2 million lives each year, including 4,000 children
every day. Earlier this year, Rotary International entered into a
partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development to
implement sustainable long-term water sanitation and hygiene projects
[[Page H8043]]
in the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and the Philippines.
Rotarians have also assisted in disaster relief efforts in Indonesia,
Pakistan and New Orleans, helping to distribute food, clean water
shelters and medical supplies. These are just a few examples of some of
Rotary International's service projects. In addition to supporting
projects like these around the world, Rotary International supports
scholarships, exchange programs, and humanitarian grants.
Madam Speaker, let us take the time now to thank Rotary International
for all that they continue to do to fulfill their mission of providing
service to others, promoting integrity and advancing world
understanding, goodwill and peace. I would, therefore, urge my
colleagues to join me in supporting the resolution, which recognizes
Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the distinguished gentleman from Texas, the sponsor of this resolution,
Mr. Lamar Smith.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from
Illinois for yielding me time. I also would like to thank my colleagues
on the committee itself for giving this resolution bipartisan support.
Madam Speaker, this resolution honors Rotary International for 105
years of service and commends members for their dedication to the
mission and principles of Rotary.
The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others,
promote integrity and advance world standing, goodwill and peace
through its fellowship. All across the country, business, professional
and community leaders better their communities by participating in
their local Rotary Clubs.
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois, Rotary International is the
world's first service club and one of the largest nonprofit service
organizations. Rotary International promotes international
understanding through scholarships, exchange programs, humanitarian
grants and service projects. Their motto is ``Service Above Self.''
Rotary International also promotes universal values with their
``four-way test'' that asks the following questions: ``Of the things we
think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it
build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all
concerned?''
It is a pleasure to recognize Rotary International for 105 years of
service. I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring them on this
achievement.
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from the great State of Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).
Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in
commemorating the Rotary International Club for 105 years of service.
Like many Members of this House, I have been a member of my local
Rotary Club, the McCandless Rotary. Over the years, I have served in
many of the club's offices, including a term as its president. I have
seen firsthand the great work that Rotary Clubs provide for their
communities and literally around the world.
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is the world's first
formal service club and has grown into one of the largest nonprofit
service organizations in the world. The mission of Rotary is to serve
others, promote integrity and advance worldwide understanding, goodwill
and peace through its fellowship network of business and community
leaders.
Today, there are 1.2 million Rotarians in more than 34,000 clubs
across six continents. The district that I represent is home to 25 of
those clubs. With a well-known motto of ``Service Above Self,'' Rotary
International promotes understanding through scholarships, student
exchange programs, humanitarian grants, and other service projects.
I am sure every Member of this House has at one time or another
attended a Rotary meeting or spoken to a Rotary group. The resolution
we are debating today recognizes Rotary International for 105 years of
service to the world and commends its members on their dedication to
the mission and principles of Rotary International's organization.
I join my colleagues in support of this resolution.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I can't help but emphasize that Rotary International was founded in
the great State of Illinois, in Chicago, in 1905; and it is the world's
first service club and one of the largest nonprofit service
organizations. Its motto, ``Service Above Self,'' helps encourage
members provide humanitarian aid, meet high ethical standards and
promote international goodwill and peace. We salute all members of
Rotary International for their great civic works as they celebrate this
anniversary.
I thank the gentleman from Texas for sponsoring this resolution. I
urge all Members to join in support of the resolution.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1727.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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