Senate Resolution No. 2313

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 70th Anniversary of the Massena
Rotary Club on November 12, 2019

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 70th Anniversary of the Massena Rotary Club celebrated
at a dinner on Tuesday, November 12, 2019; and

WHEREAS, To observe this momentous occasion, the Massena Rotary
remains committed to not only serving the residents of its community,
but also, individuals and various projects across the globe, thus
holding true to the Rotary's motto of "Service above Self"; 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, The mission of the Massena Rotary Club has always been to
fulfill community needs and advance world peace and understanding; today
this is accomplished through programs and projects to support health
care, youth development, sustainable communities, and cultural exchange
at the local, regional and international levels; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the Club's dedicated members have
cleaned up local highways, supported Massena's food pantries, and raised
funds to send special needs children to summer camp and to benefit local
organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, the Massena Neighborhood
Center and The Salvation Army; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization has also provided several
scholarships to students, sponsored the Rotary Interact Club at Massena
Central High School, and was instrumental in the completion of both the
ice rink project at Alcoa Field and the Massena Area Project; and

WHEREAS, As part of its worldwide effort, the Massena Rotary Club
diligently worked on a deep rock hydra-drill project in Guatemala,
planted 110,056 trees in Central America, and aided the people of El
Salvador by providing water storage tanks for 12 public schools and

raising money for relief efforts during the aftermath of an earthquake;
and

WHEREAS, Since its inception in November of 1949, the Massena Rotary
Club has been an integral part of the local community; the Club has made
countless meaningful contributions to make Massena a better place to
live, work and play; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Massena Rotary Club is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its President Curt Wood and its 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 70th Anniversary of the Massena Rotary Club, and to wish
it continued success in the coming years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Curt Wood, President, Massena Rotary Club.