[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5167]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE ROTARY CLUB OF MADISON'S 90TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rotary Club 
of Madison, located in Madison, New Jersey, which is celebrating its 
90th anniversary.
  The Rotary Club of Madison is a branch of the worldwide network of 
Rotaries, which inspire individuals to transform their passions into 
relevant social causes to improve lives in communities. The first 
Rotary Club in the world was organized in Chicago, Illinois in 1905 by 
Paul P. Harris, a young lawyer. He gathered together a group of men, 
each from a different sphere of public service, to form the first club. 
The club would rotate their meeting place between the places of 
business of the members, which suggested the name ``Rotary.'' These men 
met with the goal of developing fellowship and understanding among 
businesses and professionals in the community, promoting improvement of 
the community through high ethical standards in occupational practice, 
and the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and 
peace. These ideals of thoughtfulness and helpfulness to others are the 
same that are held fast by the nearly 33 thousand Rotary Clubs, with 
over 1.2 million members, that exist today.
  The Madison Rotary is among these clubs that carry on the proud 
tradition. In the early 1920s, citizens of Madison began to take note 
of the vibrant qualities of Rotary as demonstrated elsewhere. The 
ideals of ``Service above Self,'' ``He profits most who serves best,'' 
and the fellowship and joy that comes from going beyond the daily 
routine of life to help others, greatly appealed to them. The 
testimonies of members of other Rotary Clubs, as well as Madison 
residents who witnessed other Rotaries in action, encouraged W. Kelton 
``Kelly'' Evens to write to Same Clarke of the Morristown Club asking 
for sponsorship. Morristown agreed, and commissioned Wilber Day of 
Day's Restaurant, a Morristown landmark, to arrange the sponsorship. 
Day worked with Preston Borroughs, who, in January 1923, gathered 
interested business and professional men at the Ridgedale Inn for 
discussion. After further followup meetings, Borroughs confirmed to Day 
in March that the group was prepared. With Day as the liaison for the 
charter arrangements with the Governor of the 36th District, the Rotary 
Club of Madison held its Charter Night on May 24, 1923 in the Refectory 
of Drew University. Wilbur F. Day presided and read the names of the 
new charter members, while the District Governor Lion L. Woodward 
presented the charter to Joseph F. Ruzicka, the first President of the 
Rotary Club of Madison.
  Throughout its 90 years, the club has assisted people in need in the 
community and internationally. Currently, the club donates 
approximately $50,000 annually to non-profit organizations and local 
initiatives. The Madison Rotary is active in the community, working on 
local projects, including maintaining gardens for seniors and the 
library grounds, participating in Bottle Hill Day, distributing 
dictionaries to grade school children, and sponsoring the annual Taste 
of Madison and the Rotary Family Festival. They have also supported 
Rotary projects worldwide. The Madison Club boasts 86 talented and 
accomplished men and women dedicated to the core values of Rotary: 
Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity, and Leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Rotary Club of Madison as they celebrate their 90th anniversary.

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