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Vol. 31, No. 12       October 14, 2005       Meeting 1439       Editor: Henry Francis

Visit our web site:  www.memphiscentralrotaryclub.org

 

 

Today’s program

 

Congressman Harold Ford Jr.

Congressman Harold Ford Jr. was sworn in to represent the Ninth District of Tennessee in 1996 at age 26, and is now serving his fifth term in the House of Representatives. Ford sits on the House Budget Committee and the House Committee on Financial Services.

If you plan to bring guests, please let John May know so he can make sure there are enough chairs for everyone.

Ford has built a reputation as a solutions-oriented lawmaker who seeks to replace partisan politics with fresh ideas and a pragmatic approach to the challenges of the 21st century. He has worked with members on both sides of the aisle to fashion solutions that work for the American people.

Ford is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate and fiscally conservative Democrats that has built a reputation for promoting positions that bridge the gap between ideological extremes.

Ford also co-chairs the Community Solutions and Initiatives Caucus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers that seeks to help faith and community based groups solve social challenges, and the Congressional Savings and Ownership Caucus, a bipartisan coalition dedicated to advancing policies to build savings and assets for all Americans -- low-income Americans in particular.

 

Next week’s program

 

William Haltom

 

The Tennessee Bar Associating is working to boost the legal system image. William Halton will tell us what’s being done to accomplish this goal.

 

Last week’s program

 

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton

 

Mayor Willie Herenton commented on many issues last week. Once again he confirmed that he in favor consolidation. Concerning the statue debate, his view was very clear  -- “Let history stay history.”

 

He also told how he is trying to handle the city’s $30 million shortfall. “We’re trying to get our budget in sync. We have to economize – we have to     reduce costs.”

                                                       Mayor Willie Herenton and President John May

 

Lots of visitors

 

Quite a few guests joined us last week to hear what Mayor Herenton had to say. They were introduced by John Shepherd, and he thanked the mayor for all the help our city has given to those who came here after evacuating New Orleans.

 

Lee Whipple told us this was the last time that Yves Calvert would attend as a guest. He likes our club and plans to join. Bob Mercer, a hotel manager, was the guest of Andy Peters. Charlotte Neal and Bobbie Lovett were the guests of Bob Neal. Bobbie belongs to the club in McCrory AR, and her husband at one time was a member of the international board of directors of Rotary. Homer Bunker of the Memphis East club was with us. We were happy to see Martha Rutherford again – she announced that was helping Gary celebrate his birthday.

 

Help for a New Orleans family

 

Jeff Jones’ daughter Libby Kelley and her husband Roger have arranged temporary shelter for a New Orleans family left homeless by Katrina. Kathy Cabibi and three of her five children now have a place to stay. The other two are older and stayed in New Orleans to help with cleanup. Our club board voted to give the family $500 to help them with their living expenses. The three children living with Kathy are a daughter, 18, with a child on the way; a son 15 and a daughter 14.

 

The Haiti Walk

 

Once again Marty Petrusek helped make sure that lots of money was raised to help the hospital in Haiti that our club has adopted. The Walk last year raised $40,000, and chances are good that this figure was equaled or surpassed this year. The hospital cares for about 90 patients a day.

 

Twenty teams of 12 participated in the 24-hour event. The two fastest teams finished only 15 seconds for the 208 miles covered. That figures to less than six minutes a mile – an amazing feat.

 

Last year Marty walked and jogged a marathon – 26 miles, 385 yards. But not this year. But he still covered more than five miles. Leroy Dahler walked with Marty part of the way. “Leroy lifted my morale,” said Marty.

 

Several thousand walkers and runners took part. The most miles covered by a man turned out to be 74 miles. The women’s leader clocked in at 72 miles.

 

Special Notes

 

Our club is donating $100 to sponsor 10 children to the Riverking game on Nov. 15. The Kings are turning their DeSoto Civic Rink into a classroom for the day they are calling Face-Off Field Trip. More than 6000 third to sixth graders from DeSoto and Shelby counties will attend. Each student will get a workbook as he or she enters the arena. They will take part in interactive educational activities throughout the game.