Assembly Resolution No. 306

BY: M. of A. Goodell

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
Jamestown 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 Jamestown Rotary Club to be
celebrated with a Gala Dinner Dance on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the
Harbor Hotel, Celoron, New York; 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 32,000 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 Rotary Club of Jamestown, New York, was chartered as
the 70th club in the world on June 17, 1919, by 25 members; and

WHEREAS, Over the past century, more than 1,235 men and women have
held membership in the Jamestown Rotary Club, and today, this vital
organization has just over 100 active members; and

WHEREAS, In keeping with its motto of Service Above Self, members of
the Jamestown Rotary Club volunteer at Jamestown High School, where they
engage students in mock interviews to hone their skills for future job
interviews; and

WHEREAS, These truly devoted members also give of their time and
energies to the annual Highway Cleanup, and can be found ringing the
bell each holiday season for the Salvation Army; and

WHEREAS, The Jamestown 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 Jamestown Rotary Club steadfastly supports numerous
humanitarian programs in Nepal, Cambodia and Ethiopia, to help those on
the other side of the world; and

WHEREAS, The Jamestown Rotary Club has been instrumental in the
evolution of the City and the maintenance of important community
initiatives and organizations including the Reg Lenna Center for the
Arts, Jamestown Community College Capital Campaign, Chautauqua Lake
Cleanup, Comedy Center Park and Veterans Memorial Park; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Club has supported several local library,
school and church literacy projects; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, the Jamestown Rotary Club is proud to have
sponsored the beginnings of several local Rotary Clubs including Warren,
Pennsylvania, Salamanca, Westfield, Dunkirk, Falconer, Lakewood and the
Greater Jamestown AM Rotary Club; and

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

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