|
1947 San Francisco Convention
Tributes to Paul P. Harris
W.
H. Tan, RC Shanghai, China
W.
H. TAN: President Dick, Chairman Perry, Ladies and Fellow
Rotarians: Today at the third plenary session of this Convention
of Rotary International, I have the privilege to represent the
people of China in general and my fellow Rotarians in China in
particular, joining with the rest of the world to pay tribute to
the memory of a great American, a great leader, one of the
greatest of all times.
Paul Harris did not found Rotary by accident. It is true that,
as a young lawyer, he was lonely in a strange city and that he
was seeking fellowship with a few business and professional men
similarly situated as he was, thus leading to the formation of
Rotary in 1905. But Paul Harris was a man of vision, and he
dreamt dreams. Even in those early days, I am sure he already
visualized the great potentialities of the Rotary movement as we
know it today and what may develop in the future. His whole
theme from the inception was service, friendship and
understanding. Because of this simplicity in its aims, Rotary
today is understood and accepted everywhere in the world.
Paul Harris had many, many friends in every land, because he
himself was always friendly. I remember when he visited China in
1935, the first thing he insisted upon doing was to plant a tree
of friendship on Chinese soil. That act created a deep
impression upon the minds of my people, and we loved him for it.
While Rotary lost its founder and the world a leader, we as his
followers in this great movement of Rotary International should
strive to further the objects of Rotary and to assist in the
bringing about of international understanding, just and lasting
peace to this confused and chaotic world, as I am sure Paul
would want us to do.
Thank you. (Applause)
Chesley R. Perry: The second speaker is
John Matheson Edgar of the Rotary Club of Essendon, Australia.
(Applause)
|
