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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR ROTARY INTERNATIONAL ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND ITS MEMBERS FOR THEIR MANY CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS.
Whereas, the Rotary Club of Chicago was founded on February 23, 1905, by Chicago attorney Paul Harris when he invited three business associates to a meeting to form a club to share "mutual cooperation and informal friendship such as all of us had once known in our villages"; and
Whereas, by 1921, Rotary Clubs had been formed on six continents, and by 1922 the name Rotary International was adopted; and
Whereas, as Rotary International grew, its focus changed from serving the business and professional needs of its members to serving communities in need, as expressed in its motto: "Service Above Self"; and
Whereas, the Rotary Foundation was established in 1928 and today garners contributions to support a variety of humanitarian grants and educational programs, raising more than 80 million dollars annually; and
Whereas, in 1985, Rotary International made a commitment to immunize all of the world's children against polio, and by the centennial of Rotary in 2005, more than 500 million dollars will have been committed to the eradication of polio; and
Whereas, Rotary International consists of 1.2 million members in some 31,000 Rotary clubs in 166 countries, all committed to addressing such problems as environmental degradation, illiteracy, world hunger, and children at risk. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly recognize and honor Rotary International on the occasion of its 100th anniversary and to commend its members for their many civic contributions.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Rotary International.
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