Table Speech


The Tokyo Rotary Club's 84th Anniversary Meeting and Family Party Dinner

october 20th,2004

Club President Masato Mizuno¡¡

I thank you for attending this Anniversary Meeting and Dinner, and welcome RI Director Tanaka and Governor Kobori.

A century has passed since the young lawyer Paul Harris and his 3 friends got together in a social atmosphere which lacked ethical principles in spite of rapid economic growth. They endeavored to treat each other fairly and enjoy the fellowship. They started on February 23, 1905 and today Rotary has 1.2 million members in 32,000 Rotary Clubs which are located in 166 countries throughout the world.

13 years later, Mr. Umekichi Yoneyama, who was visiting the U.S. as a member of a financial study team met Mr. Kisaji Fukushima who was a member of the Dallas Rotary Club. Being taken by Mr. Fukushima to a Rotary Club meeting, Mr. Yoneyama was moved by the spirit and actions of Rotary. So 84 years ago they worked together to start the Tokyo Rotary Club with 24 members on October 20.
Rotary in Japan enjoyed outstanding growth and today we have more than 100,000 members in 2,328 Clubs and our position in Rotary International is secure.

In the Centennial Year, RI President Estess has asked us to Celebrate Rotary and as each Club has a rich history we can promote the spirit of service in our Clubs, through our vocations and in our communities.

District 2580 Governor Kobori has asked us to conduct our service activities with energy, drive and perseverance, and that Rotary Clubs should be comprised of friends, not acquaintances. Stress has been placed in involving our family members in Rotary and to make them familiar with our activities. Thus we can enhance our family friendships and make this an even more happier club.

In this Centennial Year our Tokyo Rotary Club will continue to make efforts in membership development, promote activities in the fields stressed by the RI President, and will register as a twin Club with that of Washington D.C.

We are participating in the Extra Mile Project and Land Mine Clearance Project in Cambodia. We have rung the Centennial Bell, joined in the Centennial Poster Contest, and have received the Centennial celebration dogwood saplings from the Ardmore Rotary Club. I am grateful to our Committee for promoting corporate social responsibility and vocational service.

Finally, I wish to thank all of you who have contributed towards the success of this evening¡Çs dinner.

A Cello Concert by Ms.Nododa Jyouhou

The Tokyo Rotary Club¡Çs 84th Anniversary was celebrated by an Anniversary Meeting and Family Party Dinner on October 20. Club President Masato Mizuno addressed the meeting, which included invited guests RI Director Sakuji Tanaka and District Governor Keisuke Kobori.