House Resolution 2 Oregon Laws 2009

AN ACT

          Whereas Rotary International, founded on February 23, 1905, in Chicago, Illinois, was the first nonprofit service organization in the world, and remains one of the world’s largest such organizations; and

          Whereas there are over 1.2 million professional and business leaders participating as Rotary club members in over 32,000 clubs in 200 regions and countries; and

          Whereas the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” inspires members to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards and promote goodwill and peace in the world; and

          Whereas Rotary International funds the projects of individual clubs and sponsors volunteers who have community expertise to provide medical supplies, health care, clean water, food production, job training and education to millions who are in need, particularly in developing countries; and

          Whereas in 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus and spearheaded efforts with the World Health Organization, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF to immunize the children of the world against polio; and

          Whereas polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988, and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease; and

          Whereas Rotary is the world’s largest privately-funded source of scholarships for international study and promotes international understanding through scholarships, exchange programs and humanitarian grants; and

          Whereas since 1947, more than 47,000 students from 110 countries have studied abroad as Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars; and

          Whereas Rotary’s Group Study Exchange program has helped more than 57,000 young professionals explore their career fields in other countries; and

          Whereas 7,000 secondary school students each year experience life in another country through Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program; and

          Whereas there are 131 Rotary clubs throughout Oregon that sponsor service projects to address such critical issues as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy and the environment in their local communities and abroad; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Oregon:

          That we, the members of the House of Representatives of the Seventy-fifth Legislative Assembly, on the occasion of the 104th anniversary of the founding of Rotary International, extend our gratitude and best wishes to all Oregon Rotarians who so dutifully serve their fellow citizens.

Filed in the office of Secretary of State February 23, 2009

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