Rotary International, which was founded on February 23, 1905, in Chicago, is the world's first service club and one of the largest nonprofit service organizations.  The organization’s headquarters are presently located in Evanston, Illinois, which is in Schakowsky’s Congressional District.

“The contributions of Rotarians to the health, well being and educational development of children and to improving the quality of life in communities at home and abroad are immeasurable.  I am confident that for the next one hundred years, Rotarians will remain committed to their motto, ‘Service Above Self,’ and as a result, many more deserving individuals will receive the assistance and care that they desperately need.  Rotary International is a national institution deserving of Congressional praise and recognition,” Schakowsky said. 

 “Rotarians are best known for their leadership in eradicating polio from the earth,” said Congressman Kirk.  “A polio free world is a lasting gift Rotarians are giving to our children and their children.”

Rotary International, with almost 400,000 club members in 7,700 clubs in the United States, has been a leader in eradicating global polio through its Polio Plus initiative, which was launched in 1985.  Working closely with international health organizations, Rotary International helped immunize millions of children and polio cases have dropped by 99 percent.  The disease is nearly eradicated.  Additionally, Rotarians continue to sponsor service projects that address critical issues such as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment in their local communities and abroad.

The bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by more than 50 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  The Senate has already passed the same resolution earlier this year.