[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S2871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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           100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMAN'S CLUB OF BETHESDA

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I invite my colleagues to 
join me in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Woman's Club of 
Bethesda, MD. The club, a nonprofit organization, was organized on May 
27, 1911. It was founded by seven women for the purpose of promoting 
civic activities and welfare in the neighborhood. Those activities 
included assistance and fundraising for schools, churches, and 
hospitals. Club members selected the American Beauty Rose as their 
flower; ``An Earnest Club for Earnest Women'' as their motto; and 
American Beauty Red and green as their colors. Before a clubhouse was 
built, meetings were held at various members' homes, limiting 
membership to 35 and allowing only a cup of tea and a cracker to be 
served.
  During World War I, from 1914 to 1916, the members sold over $10,000 
worth of Liberty Bonds, raised funds for French orphans, worked with 
local merchants to beautify the roads into the Nation's Capital, and 
worked to secure a new fire truck for the community that was capable of 
fighting chemical fires.
  In 1925, club members raised $1,500 to purchase three lots at the 
corner of Sonoma Road and Old Georgetown Road for construction of a 
clubhouse. On May 27, 1927, the club laid the cornerstone for the 
clubhouse, which is still in use today. In 1948, the mortgage was 
burned--quite a feat for women who began the club without the right to 
vote.
  During World War II, the clubhouse was used to host USO 
entertainment. Today, the club continues its philanthropic efforts by 
raising money for local charitable organizations--Friends of the 
Maryland Library; Mobile Medical Care, Inc., Montgomery; Crisis Center 
of Montgomery County; Bethesda Cares; and Manna Food Banks--and by 
supporting national and international efforts to curb homelessness and 
domestic violence, and promote access to health care and clean water.
  There is no doubt that the Woman's Club of Bethesda has made 
significant contributions to the betterment of the surrounding 
community and is a valuable asset to the people of Montgomery County 
and the State of Maryland. I would ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the past and present members of the Woman's Club of 
Bethesda on their century of service.

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