[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21437]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF SAULT STE. MARIE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 10, 2009

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Rotary Club of 
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, as it celebrates its 90th anniversary in 
the community. Over the years, the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie has 
worked diligently to provide service to others, to promote high ethical 
standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace in 
Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding areas.
  One of the oldest Rotary Clubs in Michigan, the Sault Ste. Marie club 
was chartered on January 1, 1919. Since its inception the club has 
taken an active role in supporting and enriching individuals and 
projects that make Sault Ste. Marie a positive place to live and do 
business.
  Service projects have been a continuing priority for the club. Each 
year members honor past president Charlie Graver with the Rotary Graver 
Auction, which has raised nearly $150,000 to fund youth projects around 
the community. In the 1960s the Rotary Club built Rotary Park, where 
visitors can enjoy the view of the lake carriers in the St. Marys 
River. Today, Rotarians are rebuilding the park starting with the 
``Poppink Path'' walkway. The club has also helped finance Project 
Playground and agreed to maintain it with yearly repairs and cleanups.
  Recognizing the importance of education, the Rotary Club has 
established the William Poppink Distinguished Teacher Award given 
annually to one local elementary and secondary teacher recognized for 
their outstanding contribution to education. The club also presents 
students in the area with scholarships through the Sault Rotary Strahl 
Scholarship Fund. The club has raised thousands of dollars to support 
the community-based Soo Theatre Project, now teaching more than 400 
students the arts and providing shows for the community at the historic 
Soo Theatre.
  The Sault Ste. Marie Rotary Club has also done much for those in the 
community with intellectual disabilities. Members work closely with 
Special Olympics to staff events and hold an annual Special Olympics 
carnival. The club also hosts a Valentine's Day lunch each year for 
special education students in the area.
  The club also reaches out beyond Sault Ste. Marie by giving area 
students the opportunity to go abroad and learn about new cultures in 
countries across the world. At the same time the club hosts young 
people from across the globe that come to Sault Ste. Marie to learn 
about life in the United States.
  Madam Speaker, since the formation of the Sault Ste. Marie Rotary 
Club, members have continuously upheld their mission of, ``Service 
Above Self.'' The Sault Ste. Marie area has benefited greatly from 
members' long tradition of community pride and dedication to fostering 
the ideal of service through action. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and 
the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in congratulating the 
Sault Ste. Marie Rotary Club on its 90th anniversary as well as 
thanking members for their active involvement in the Sault Ste. Marie 
community.

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