Senate Resolution No. 1050

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the New
Rochelle 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 New Rochelle 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, Just 14 years after Rotary International was founded, the
New Rochelle club formed on April 9, 1919, with members meeting at the
Hotel Osborn on Franklin Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The New Rochelle Rotary Club received its charter on
October 8, 1919, at the Wykagyl Country Club which had been upgraded
from the original Disbrow farmhouse; the founders were among those who
had been successful in selling Liberty Bonds to fund the war effort
during World War I; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, the New Rochelle Rotary Club helped found
the first Rotary Club in Bermuda in 1920, the Larchmont Club in 1929,
and the Pelham Club in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the New Rochelle Rotary Club has contributed
to the larger aims of Rotary International through members' dues,
donations and fundraising events; the successful Polio Plus campaign to
eradicate polio is nearing completion with the number of cases dropping
from 350,000 in 1985, to only 29 in 2018; and

WHEREAS, The New Rochelle Rotary Club has been instrumental in the
evolution of the City and the creation of important community
organizations including the local Chamber of Commerce and Boys and Girls
Club; and

WHEREAS, In addition, this vital organization supports numerous
humanitarian programs such as Hope Community Services meals, coat

drives, and holiday events for people in need within the local
community, as well as The Cookstove Project in Uganda and Nepal; and

WHEREAS, The success of the New Rochelle 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 New Rochelle Rotary Club; and
be it further

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