[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17941]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE PATERSON ROTARY CLUB NO. 70

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 14, 2003

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
work of an outstanding organization, Paterson Rotary Club #70 that, on 
Wednesday, June 18, 2003, celebrated 90 years of service.
  As a lifelong resident and former mayor of Paterson, I cannot think 
of another organization that has dedicated itself more to serving the 
special needs of the city's diverse community. It is only fitting that 
Paterson Rotary Club #70 be honored, in this, the permanent record of 
the greatest freely elected body on earth.
  Established in 1913, Paterson Rotary #70 held its first meeting of 
civic leaders and professional businessmen on February 25th at 
Crawford's Restaurant in Paterson, New Jersey. Over the ensuing 90 
years, the members of the Paterson Club have exemplified the Rotary's 
time-honored motto ``Service Above Self.''
  From its inception, Paterson Rotary #70 has dedicated itself to 
assisting the local youth of Paterson. One of its earliest projects was 
the establishment of the Rotary Student Loan Fund which has enabled 
numerous young men and women to continue their education in colleges 
and universities around the country. While still in its formative 
years, the Paterson Rotary similarly chose to support the Paterson YMCA 
and, in the 1940s, the club assumed an instrumental role in the 
construction of a large social hall at the YMCA's summer camp at Silver 
Lake in Sussex County.
  Over the years the Paterson Rotary has expanded the scope of its 
service to include regular support of the Memorial Day Nursery, the 
Gift of Life Program, and the Salvation Army. Yet its initial focus on 
the youth of Paterson has not been forgotten. Acting in the spirit with 
which it was founded, the Rotary Club currently sponsors various self-
help programs for local students, High School Interact Clubs, and 
numerous Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, while providing support for 
the local PAL, the Boys and Girls Club, the Boy Scouts, the Paterson 
Education Fund, and the Nathaniel Lieberman Scholarship Fund for 
Paterson students pursuing careers in music.
  Mr. Speaker, the job of a United States Congressman involves so much 
that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing organizations 
such as the Paterson Rotary that give so much to their community. 
Paterson Rotary #70's long history of leadership and service to the 
city of Paterson is unparalleled.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the members of the 
Rotary, the city of Paterson, and me in recognizing the outstanding and 
invaluable service of Paterson Rotary Club #70.

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