[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S4298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LANSING ROTARY CLUB

 Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
Lansing Rotary Club's centennial. For 100 years, the Lansing Rotary has 
been a cornerstone of fellowship and service for those in the greater 
Lansing community. Throughout that time, it has remained committed to 
the core value of all Rotarians, ``Service Above Self,'' by enhancing 
the quality of life of the City's residents and helping shape business 
leaders into community leaders.
  Founded on May 29, 1916, the Lansing Rotary was the 232nd club in the 
world and the seventh in Michigan. Its commitment to service was 
demonstrated almost immediately; within the first 6 months, the club 
contributed funds to help erect a barrier at a dangerous curve on 
Okemos Road, generated enthusiastic support for a citywide vote to 
establish municipal garbage collection for Lansing residents, donated 
footballs to the poorly equipped Lansing Boys Industrial School, and 
began the tradition of hosting annual Christmas parties for children in 
need.
  What truly thrust Lansing Rotary into the spotlight was its 
organizing of the Cabaret Charity Ball in 1917. Created to pay for the 
paving of the road connecting Lansing and East Lansing, the State 
Journal called the Ball, ``easily the most talked of social event in 
the history of the city . . . it will be the marking of the growth of 
Lansing from a little city to the ways and habits of larger and more 
progressive cities.'' In a remarkable display for a club still less 
than a year old, the ball attracted hundreds of attendees and funded 
the paving of the road known today as Michigan Avenue, the road that 
leads directly to Michigan's Capitol building.
  Like many rotary clubs around the world, Lansing Rotary gained a 
reputation for its emphasis on providing unique services. Continuing 
the main trend of its work during that immensely successful first year, 
Lansing Rotarians became best known for their efforts in assisting 
disadvantaged children. In the decades that followed, the club 
purchased a 12-acre campsite and donated it to Boy Scouts; established 
an educational loan fund to send young people to college; created a 
dental program for children and youth; donated $10,000 for the 
establishment of Camp Ingham, a facility for troubled boys between the 
ages of 14 and 17; and, in 2002, it contributed $100,000 to Lansing's 
Helping Other People Excel, HOPE, scholarship program for Lansing at-
risk youth.
  Today Lansing Rotary boasts a membership of nearly 300 and continues 
to fulfill its mission of ``Service Above Self.'' Since its 
establishment 100 years ago, it has donated millions of dollars to 
Lansing-based organizations and continues to give through annual grants 
to organizations like the Greater Lansing Food Bank, the Mother Teresa 
House, and Lifetech Academy, Michigan's cyber school. Moreover, it 
provides similar services internationally, including grants for small 
projects in the Philippines, India, and Mexico, and larger projects 
like the construction of a school in Sri Lanka after the tsunami. 
Through its generous service to Lansing and helping shape business 
leaders and community leaders alike, Lansing Rotary is truly a pillar 
of mid-Michigan
  I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the 
Lansing Rotary Club's 100th anniversary and its service to the greater 
lansing community. As the organization moves into the future, I am 
confident it will continue to demonstrate the same high standard it set 
so profoundly 100 years ago.

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