2019-10-01 Ex World Polio Day Proclamation,1
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Office of the Mayor
Okeechobee, Florida
WHEREAS, Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem -solvers who unite
and take action to create lasting change in communities across the globe; and
WHEREAS, the Rotary motto, Service Above Self inspires members to provide humanitarian service, follow high
ethical standards, and promote goodwill and peace in the world; and
WHEREAS, Rotary in 1985 launched PolioPlus and in 1988 helped establish the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative, which today includes the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to immunize the children of the world
against polio; and
WHEREAS, polio cases have dropped by 99.9 percent since 1988 and the world stands on the threshold of
eradicating the disease; and
WHEREAS, to date, Rotary has contributed more than US $1.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to
protecting more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries; and
WHEREAS, Rotary is working to raise an additional $50 million per year, which would be leveraged for
maximum impact by an additional $100 million annually from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and
WHEREAS, these efforts are providing much-needed operational support, medical staff, laboratory equipment,
and educational materials for health workers and parents; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Rotary has played a major role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more
than $8 billion to the effort; and
WHEREAS, there are over 16,425 Rotary members in more than 584 clubs throughout this state of Florida that
sponsor service projects to address such critical issues as poverty, disease, hunger, illiteracy, and the
environment in their local communities and abroad.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, do hereby proclaim October
24, 2019 World Polio Day in Okeechobee and encourage all citizens to join me and Rotary International
in the fight for a polio -free world.
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In witness whereof on October 1, 2019, I have
set my hand and caused this seal to be affixed
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Attest:
W tfo d, Jr., Mayor
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Lane Ga iotea, CMC, City Cle
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