Assembly Resolution No. 2082

BY: M. of A. Simpson

COMMEMORATING the Centennial Anniversary of the
Granville Rotary Club on May 9, 2024

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 Centennial Anniversary of the Granville Rotary Club on
Thursday, May 9, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Rotary International is one of the largest service
organizations in the world, with a mission to provide service to others,
promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace
through the fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders;
the non-political and non-religious organization has 46,000-plus member
clubs that work together to promote peace, fight illiteracy and poverty,
help people get access to clean water and sanitation, fight disease, and
protect Earth and its resources; and

WHEREAS, Established 100 years ago, the Granville Rotary Club was
formed and organized in 1924 and the charter from Rotary International
was presented to the Club's first President, William J. Norton, by
District Governor Raymond J. Knoeppel; and

WHEREAS, Historically devoted to serving the community through their
endeavors, the members of the Granville Rotary Club led the drive for
the construction of the present Granville High School building in 1929;
through the efforts of the Club, the need for a new hospital was
stressed and fund raising was carried out, resulting in the construction
of the Emma Laing Stevens Hospital; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, the Granville Rotary Club sponsored
war bond drives as well as drives for scrap-metal and for clothing to
ship overseas; in 1973, the Club and its members personally fully
supported the construction of the new regional hospital in North
Granville, as well as the underwriting of a new room and furnishings in
the hospital; and

WHEREAS, Supporting other local organizations, the Granville Rotary
Club has contributed to the efforts of both the Slate Valley Museum and
the Pember Library & Museum; and

WHEREAS, Prioritizing fostering youth activities, the Granville
Rotary Club organized and sponsored Boy Scout Troop 44 in 1938 and the
formation of the Granville Youth Commission, the first Youth Commission
in New York State; the Youth Commission sponsored a swimming program at
Lake St. Catherine where children of all ages were taught to swim and
were able to learn life saving techniques; in partnership with the Lions
Club, the Granville Rotary Club established a playground at the Little

League Field and for many years, the Club sponsored a Rotary Little
League baseball team and also arranged high school track meets; and

WHEREAS, Instrumental in the creation of recreational activities for
the community, the Granville Rotary Club helped to construct a community
ice rink and has worked to maintain the rink for many years; in
addition, the Club set up a ski program where students were transported
by bus to the Pico Ski Area and learned how to ski and a summer school
playground was arranged for students; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to youth of all ages, the Granville Rotary Club
recognizes a high school senior once a month as Student of the Month to
encourage scholastic achievement; the Club awards scholarships that are
given to two graduating seniors based on their service to the school and
community and also each fall, the Club provides student dictionaries for
all third graders at the Granville Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Helping students prepare for their future, the members of
the Granville Rotary Club, as well as former Rotarians and other
civic-minded adults, role play interviewers, allowing students to
improve their interviewing skills, in preparation for college or job
interviews; and

WHEREAS, For many years, in order to encourage good sportsmanship,
the Granville and Whitehall Rotary Clubs jointly sponsored annual
football banquets held a few weeks after the last game of the season;
during this event, trophies were awarded to outstanding players, and the
ceremony helped lessen tensions between the players and the communities;
further supporting youth athletics for Granville High School, the Club
aided the purchase of a modern electric scoreboard for the football
field, dedicated in memory of Sam Eppolito, the football coach at
Granville High School for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, To raise funds and give the citizens of Granville the
opportunity to shop at reduced prices, the Granville Rotary Club has
sponsored an annual flea market for many years; another important annual
Granville Rotary Club project is the Warm the Children fundraising
spaghetti dinner, from which proceeds are used to purchase warm winter
clothing for children in need; and

WHEREAS, Other projects facilitated by the Granville Rotary Club are
Trivia Night, where many teams from the surrounding areas compete in a
trivia contest; and a food booth at the long running annual Chamber of
Commerce antique car show; and

WHEREAS, Paying tribute to a Rotary International priority, the
Granville Rotary Club has been actively involved in the work to
eradicate polio; the Club has raised substantial funds for mass
immunizations; and

WHEREAS, Through the leadership and efforts of former Rotarian Steve
Williams, the Granville Rotary Club provided funds over a period of time
for various projects in Bangladesh, including cataract removal and IOL
implants; and for equipment for a second operating theatre in the
specialized ENT hospital at Mahakhali, Dhaka; funds were also used to
train midwives in techniques for life saving procedures for newborn
babies at the Kumudin Hospital; additionally, the Club was further
involved with the Rotary Foundation to create Shelter Boxes for

Indonesia and Haiti and aided in the distribution of pure water in
Danli, Honduras; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Granville Rotary Club is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its President, Daniel Yauger; Secretary,
David O'Brien; Treasurer, Roger Forando; and 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 Centennial Anniversary of the Granville Rotary Club on
May 9, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Granville Rotary Club.