 
Assembly Resolution No. 703
 
BY: M. of A. Palmesano
 
        COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Corning
        Rotary Club
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay  tribute  to  those  organizations  of  high  purpose   and   worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; 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 Corning Rotary Club; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  world's first service club, Rotary International, was
founded on February 23, 1905, when Paul Harris,  a  native  of  Vermont,
found  himself  a stranger in the city of Chicago; he conceived the idea
of inviting three men of different vocations  to  join  him  weekly  for
fellowship and to discuss each other's problems and business; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Today, Rotary International has grown into an organization
including over 1.2 million members in approximately 29,000 clubs  across
163 countries; each club is made up of business and professional leaders
who  are  dedicated  to  humanitarian  service,  encourage  high ethical
standards in all  vocations,  and  help  to  build  peace  and  goodwill
throughout the world; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Sponsored  by  the  Elmira Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of
Corning, New York, was chartered in 1921;  its  founding  President  was
Frederick  Carder,  an  English  immigrant  and  glass artist who became
interested in this organization for its promotion of world peace  during
a time when he was grieving the loss of his son in World War I; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The Rotary Club of Corning is in Rotary District No. 7120,
which encompasses roughly 90 square miles across 11 counties, just south
of Lake Ontario; and
 
  WHEREAS, Meeting weekly at  the  Baron  Steuben  Hotel,  the  Rotary
Club's  initial  success  was  the  gradual growth of acquaintance among
Corning businessmen through weekly  meetings  and  community  betterment
projects;  Carder  credited  the  organization  with  breaking  down the
attitude of secrecy and independence among businessmen that prevailed at
the time, changing it to an attitude of cooperation; and
 
  WHEREAS, Beginning with just 25 men who signed the original charter,
the Corning Rotary Club grew to more than 170 members in 80  years;  the
Baron  Steuben  Hotel and the Corning Hilton/Radisson have been its home
since 1928, and women were admitted in 1989;  presently  there  are  130
members; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In  keeping  with  its  motto  of  service above self, the
Corning Rotary Club has steadfastly supported a diverse array  of  youth
programs,  including  Sea, Boy and Girl Scouts, a local Youth Center and
Camp STAR, a summer camp for youth with disabilities; and
 
  WHEREAS, Additionally, this vital organization  has  sponsored  Babe
Ruth  Baseball  and Cinderella Softball for more than three decades, and
continues to give tirelessly  of  its  time  and  donations  to  several
community institutions; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The Corning Rotary Club began its international service in
1964, with the hosting and sponsoring of exchange students; furthermore,
its Annual  International  Evening  has  provided  funds  for  countless
outreach  projects  throughout  the  world, and since 1985, the club has
contributed  in  excess  of  $40,000  toward  Polio   Plus,   a   Rotary
International  initiative to eliminate polio in the world as well as the
largest and most successful private undertaking  by  a  non-governmental
agency ever; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  success  of  the  Corning  Rotary  Club  is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its dedicated members,  whose  involvement
is,  and  always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard  of  excellence  in
all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves;
and
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of  this  Legislative  Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated  and  recognized  by
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 Corning Rotary Club; and be  it
further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Corning Rotary Club.
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Corning Rotary Club

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