Assembly Resolution No. 129

BY: M. of A. Palmesano

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Elmira
Rotary Club on March 7, 2017

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 Elmira Rotary Club on Tuesday,
March 7, 2017, at Cowles Hall, located on the Elmira College Campus; 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 Elmira Rotary Club was sponsored by the Binghamton
Rotary Club and was chartered on October 6, 1916, and incorporated on
January 18, 1917; since then, the Elmira Rotary Club has sponsored other
Clubs in Hornell, Wayland, Waverly, Watkins-Montour, Canandaigua,
Horseheads, Chemung Sunrise, Dansville, Elmira Heights and Corning; and

WHEREAS, The objective of the Rotary Club is to encourage and foster
the Ideal of Service as a basis of worthy enterprise; Rotarians ensure
this by applying the 4-Way Test: Is it the truth?, Is it fair to all
concerned?, Will it build goodwill and better friendships?, and Will it
be beneficial to all concerned?; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the members of the Rotary Club of Elmira, past and present, who have
labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for
the community it serves by perpetuating its motto of Service Above Self;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Elmira Rotary Club on March 7,
2017; and be it further

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