Honor Newburgh Rotary Centennial

Senate Resolution No. 2235 BY: Senator LARKIN COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Greater Newburgh in Newburgh, New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State that are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organizations and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Greater Newburgh celebrated at an event on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh; and WHEREAS, Rotary is an organization of business, professional, and community leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build good-will and peace in the world; and WHEREAS, It all started 112 years ago when three businessmen rotated their meetings from one office to another and adopted the name "Rotary" and used a wagon wheel as their logo to represent the cog of a well-oiled machine the organization had become; and WHEREAS, Twelve years later, many business and professional men of the greater Newburgh area joined forces to form a Charter; and WHEREAS, By 1922, Rotary had spread to many parts of the world and became what we know today as Rotary International; and WHEREAS, In 1988, women joined the ranks and paved the way for distaff membership in other service clubs as well; and WHEREAS, With more than 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries around the world, Rotary is the premier service organization devoted to helping others; and WHEREAS, Rotary club membership now represents a cross-section of the community's business and professional men and women who hold weekly meetings that are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races and creeds; and WHEREAS, With its motto "Service Above Self", Rotarians develop community service projects which address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy and violence; and WHEREAS, The Rotary also supports programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development; and WHEREAS, Rotarians worldwide are united in a campaign for the global eradication of polio, and in the 1980s raised $240 million to immunize the children of the world; by 2005, Rotary's centenary year and the target date for the certification of a polio-free world, the Polio Plus program will have contributed $500 million to this cause; and WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Greater Newburgh; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Rotary Club of Greater Newburgh.