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PROLOGUE CONVENTION MESSAGE [1942
Toronto]
PRESIDENT DAVIS: When I saw Paul and Jean walk in last night, my
happiness was made complete. May I present to you the real first
lady of Rotary International, Jean Harris of Chicago. (Applause)
MRS. PAUL HARRIS:
It is indeed a great pleasure to be here and meet all the
Rotarians. It is nice to meet the men who helped to build up
this great organization. As Paul has often said, he was at
the beginning of the stream, but now it is a great
tributary. Everyone of Rotary has been pouring in their
strength and their knowledge and their love into this great
organization. Without that, it would not have been anything.
I certainly wish the convention a bountiful success. For
things that are fundamental and true and real and spiritual,
which, after all, are the greatest things in any
organization throughout the world, we must acknowledge the
Eternal Power.
God be with us to give us wisdom, judgment, discernment,
love for all, under all conditions.
PRESIDENT DAVIS: Jean, your president has been negligent this
morning, and he apologizes. He should have had some lovely
flowers to give to you. I am sorry, I haven't, but I have one
red carnation. They tell me that red flowers always indicate
love. So I give you this simple carnation but it carries all the
love and all the affection of this great group. (Applause)
Our next speaker has at least three Rotary titles. You have
already heard him introduced this morning as a past president.
He is also president emeritus and founder of Rotary, but we love
him as Paul Harris the man, and we are grateful that he can
bring us each year a message out of his rich experience in
Rotary.
May I present to you the founder of
Rotary, Paul P. Harris.
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