2018-0283
Title
Proclamation: World Polio Day
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, Rotary International, founded on February 23, 1905, in Chicago, Illinois, is the world's first and one of the largest non-profit humanitarian service organizations; and,
WHEREAS, there are over 1.2 million Rotary club members comprised of professional and business leaders in over 34,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographic areas; and,
WHEREAS, the Rotary motto "Service Above Self" inspires members to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards, and promote good will and peace in the world; and,
WHEREAS, Rotary funds club projects and sponsors volunteers with community expertise to provide medical supplies, health care, clean water, food production, job training, and education to millions in need, particularly in developing countries; and,
WHEREAS, Rotary, in 1985 launched Polio Plus and spearheaded efforts with the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF to immunize the children of the world against polio; and,
WHEREAS, polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988 and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease; and,
WHEREAS, to date, Rotary has contributed more than $1 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children against polio in 122 countries; and,
WHEREAS, since 2012, Rotary raised $228 million in new money for polio eradication in response to a $355 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which promptly contributed an additional $50 million in recognition of Rotary's commitment; and,
WHEREAS, these efforts are providing much needed operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents; and,
WHEREAS, Rotary has played a major role in decisions by donor governments to contribute $8 billion to the polio eradication effort; and,
WHEREAS, Rotary Peace Fellow...
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