[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [Congressional Record: May 26, 1994] From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO ROTARY CLUB OF ORANGE, TX ______ HON. CHARLES WILSON of texas in the house of representatives Thursday, May 26, 1994 Mr. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request inclusion in the Record some information about Rotary International and particularly about an outstanding Rotary Club in my district that is celebrating their 75th birthday on June 1, 1994. A club who truly epitomizes the Rotary Club motto of ``Service Above Self.'' The Rotary Club of Orange, TX, was founded on June 1, 1919, as the 487th club in the world organization that now numbers more than 25,000 clubs. For 75 years, Orange Rotarians have demonstrated the motto of ``Service Above Self'' in their work in the community and beyond. Current membership stands at 120 business and professional leaders from the Orange community. H.J. Lutcher Stark was the organizer and first president of the Orange Rotary Club with the Beaumont Rotary Club serving as the sponsor. Since its organization, the Orange Rotary Club has sponsored two other Rotary Clubs: Vidor and Bridge City. Rotary International was founded in 1905 by Paul P. Harris of Chicago, who decided to start a new kind of businessmen's club. The initial group consisted of a lawyer, a tailor, a coal merchant, and an engineer who rotated their meeting places from office to office. From such humble beginnings, Rotary has grown to a membership exceeding a million. The concept of Rotary is to encourage and promote high ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his occupation as an opportunity to serve society. Among the many programs of Rotary International is PolioPlus, a massive effort to immunize the children of the world against poliomyelitis. It is part of a global effort to protect the children from five other deadly diseases as well, the ``Plus'' in PolioPlus. by 1992, Rotarians of the world had raised over $240 million in cash in support of PolioPlus. Within the Rotary structure, the Orange Club has provided four district governors over the years. These individuals oversee the administration of all clubs within their assigned district. The Orange Club has issued 111 Paul Harris fellows. Each Paul Harris fellow represents a $1,000 contribution to the Rotary Foundation which services many programs that build good will and understanding in the world. The Orange Rotary Club has long been a contributor to many worthwhile causes including local youth programs--Help One Student To Succeed, Junior Achievement, YMCA basketball, Youth baseball programs, Youth soccer programs--and other community programs--DARE, Orange County Association for Retarded Children fishing rodeo, et cetera. The club has been active in sending youth to Rotary youth leadership awards camp. For many years, the club has provided scholarships to graduating seniors from the local high schools, Little Cypress and West Orange- Stark. As it celebrates its 75th year, the Orange Rotary Club looks to the future with pride and determination to continue its tradition of ``Service Above Self.'' ____________________