On the recordMarch 29, 2011
Mr. Speaker, all Americans have provided sympathy for the people of Japan due to the massive earthquake and tsunami, but I was grateful to learn last week at the Lexington Rotary Club, led by President Nick Pizzuti, that The Rotary Foundation is taking direct action. Special Assistant Bill Walker of the Second District Office is a dedicated Lexington Rotarian. The Rotary Japan and Pacific Islands Disaster Fund has been established for donations online worldwide. Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith of Kirksville, Missouri, is promoting the people-to-people assistance in the best tradition of Rotary with his creed: Building Communities, Bridging Continents. Japan is a leading Rotary nation, and it is fitting the incoming RI president-nominee to continue the relief assistance is Sakuji Tanaka of the Rotary Club of Yashio, Saitama, Japan. As a Rotarian, I appreciate Rotarians worldwide, with hundreds of new clubs in formerly Communist countries from Bulgaria to Slovakia to Russia making a difference with Service Above Self. As with Polio Plus, Rotarians can achieve humanitarian assistance which creates worldwide records for effectiveness. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. ____________________
