Celebrating a Century of Rotary International's Leadership and Service

CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL'S LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE -- (House of Representatives - February 15, 2005)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina as and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 100th anniversary of Rotary International, the world's first service organization.

In 1905, Paul Harris had a vision of an organization that would provide service opportunities in Chicago. Today his vision has become a reality, and Rotary International promotes volunteerism throughout America and 166 countries worldwide. With over 1.2 million members, Rotary International is an organization of community leaders that networks to provide humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards, and helps build goodwill and peace.

Throughout the world, Rotarians are helping to provide scholarships and international group study exchanges. Its Polio Plus Program to eradicate polio is being achieved by vaccinating more than 2 billion children worldwide.

As a past president of the Cayce-West Columbia Club, I have seen first hand the tremendous goodwill spread throughout the world. I am grateful that my chief of staff, Eric Dell, is a charter member of the new Capitol Hill Rotary Club where he is current president. Congratulations on fulfilling the Four-Way Test and the motto of "Service Above Self."

In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget September 11.

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