LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary
Club of Kingston in Kingston, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the qual-
ity and character of life in the communities across New York State that
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the commu-
nity and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Club of Kingston, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Rotary Club of Kingston, New York is an organization of
merchants, innovators and civic leaders united worldwide who provide
humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations
and help build goodwill and peace in the world; and
WHEREAS, It all started 111 years ago when three businessmen rotated
their meetings from one office to another and adopted the name "Rotary"
and used a wagon wheel as their logo to represent the cog of a well-
oiled machine the organization had become; and
WHEREAS, Eleven years later, 30 business and professional men of King-
ston joined forces to form a Charter and received Rotary designation on
July 16, 1916; and
WHEREAS, Harry L. Edson, an original member of the Kingston Club
noticed that poor school attendance was the result of shoeless children
and Rotary of Kingston created the first community service project by
supplying shoes where needed, and since then Rotary of Kingston has been
responsible for responding to countless other local needs, providing
scholarships and donations to as many as 25 area agencies; and
WHEREAS, Kingston native Arthur Sheldon became a Charter member of
Rotary International, which was active in many parts of the world by
1922; and
WHEREAS, Noted world lecturer Frederic Snyder, a Kingston Charter
member and motivational speaker for corporations, created the Order of
the Lafayette Baton fraternal society and inducted persons of note to
the organization, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, John Burroughs and
many others; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, women joined the ranks and paved the way for distaff
membership in other service clubs as well; and
WHEREAS, Also in 1988, Rotary Club of Kingston undertook the revival
and ongoing maintenance of Kingston Point Park, site of the original
Dutch trading post in the 1600s and the gateway for new immigrants at
the dawn of the 20th Century; the renovation was a major project that
included reconstruction of the large gazebo as a replica of the
original, restoration of the large pavilion (formerly the trolley
station), a bridge to the peninsula, and construction of a handicapped
walkway and restroom facilities, picnic tables, benches and an entrance
gate in collaboration with members of the community; and
WHEREAS, The Rotary Club of Kingston has encouraged and promoted the
idealism of Rotary by sponsoring new clubs in the Cities and Towns of
Newburgh, Phoenicia, Poughkeepsie and Woodstock; and
WHEREAS, Rotary club membership now represents a cross-section of the
community's business and professional men and women who hold weekly
meetings that are nonpolitical, nonreligious and open to all cultures,
races and creeds; and

WHEREAS, With more than 34,000 clubs in over 180 countries around the
world, Rotary is the premier service organization devoted to helping
others; and
WHEREAS, Rotary's centenary year and the target date for the certif-
ication of a polio-free world, the Polio Plus program will have contrib-
uted $500 million to this cause and the Rotary Club of Kingston has
contributed funds to immunize over 18,000 children; and
WHEREAS, Over $135,000 was raised by the Rotary Club of Kingston and
District 7210 to provide clean drinking water for a hospice facility in
Thailand, producing potable water for more than 3,000 patients, orphans,
health care workers, monks and volunteers; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence, certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of 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 Rotary Club of Kingston, New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Rotary Club of Kingston in Kingston, New York.