III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 62 

Supporting the goals and ideals of a ‘‘Rotary International Day’’ and celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion of its centennial anniversary. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 

Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. STEVENS, and Mr. FEINGOLD) 

submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION

Supporting the goals and ideals of a ‘‘Rotary International 

Day’’ and celebrating and honoring Rotary International 

on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.

Whereas Rotary International, founded on February 23, 

1905, in Chicago, Illinois, is the world’s first service club 

and 1 of the largest nonprofit service organizations; 

Whereas there are more than 1.2 million Rotary International club members comprised of professional and 

business leaders in more than 31,000 clubs in more than 

165 countries; 

Whereas the Rotary International motto, ‘‘Service Above 

Self’’, inspires members to provide humanitarian service, 

meet high ethical standards, and promote international 

good will; 
2

•SRES 62 ATS

Whereas Rotary International funds club projects and sponsors volunteers with community expertise to provide medical supplies, health care, clean water, food production, 

job training, and education to millions in need, particularly in developing countries; 

Whereas in 1985, Rotary International launched Polio Plus 

and spearheaded efforts with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 

UNICEF to immunize the children of the world against 

polio; 

Whereas polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988, 

and the world now stands on the threshold of eradicating 

the disease; 

Whereas Rotary International is the largest privately-funded 

source of international scholarships in the world and promotes international understanding through scholarships, 

exchange programs, and humanitarian grants; 

Whereas since 1947, more than 35,000 students from 110 

countries have studied abroad as Rotary Ambassadorial 

Scholars; 

Whereas Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange program has helped more than 46,000 young professionals 

explore career fields in other countries; 

Whereas 8,000 secondary school students each year experience life in another country through Rotary International’s Youth Exchange Program; 

Whereas over the past 5 years, members of Rotary International in all 50 States have hosted participants in Open 

World, a program sponsored by the Library of Congress, 

and therefore have earned the honor of serving as Open 

World’s most outstanding host; 
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•SRES 62 ATS

Whereas there are approximately 400,000 Rotary International club members in more than 7,700 clubs throughout the United States sponsoring service projects to address critical issues such as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment in their local communities 

and abroad; and 

Whereas February 23, 2005, would be an appropriate date on 

which to observe Rotary International Day: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of a ‘‘Rotary 

3 International Day’’ to celebrate the centennial anni4 versary of Rotary International; and 

5 (2) recognizes Rotary International for 100 

6 years of service to improving the human condition in 

7 communities throughout the world.

Æ