Dear Rotarians,

This past Monday we celebrated Presidents’ Day honoring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln who are regarded as the two best presidents to ever serve the United States. Although it is a federally recognized holiday, its actual name is Washington’s Birthday. The holiday used to be celebrated on February 22 which is recognized as his birthday (more on that later). The holiday was moved to the third Monday in each February in 1971 by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The act moved federal holidays to Mondays to keep workflow from being interrupted by mid-week federal holidays. Although Lincoln is recognized on Presidents’ Day, there is no official federal holiday honoring President Lincoln.

In my opinion, George Washington’s greatest single act was to decline to run for a third term as President of the United States. Washington was extremely popular and could have been president for life if he chose to. Instead, Washington initiated the peaceful transfer of executive power to John Adams who was thereafter succeeded by Thomas Jefferson and so on. At a time when such transfers were unheard of, George Washington’s actions demonstrated that democracy works. The proof of democracy is America’s greatest gift to the world.

There are some interesting things about him that you probably do not know. Believe it or not, George Washington did not have a middle name. To be fair, when you are George Washington do you need a middle name? Another interesting fact, George Washington’s actual birthday was February 11. When the colonies switched from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar his birthday was moved by 11 days. According to the Christian Science Monitor, in 1789 his salary was 2% of the total U.S. budget. In 1792 he was named as an honorary citizen of France. And finally, in recognition of his service to our country, he was posthumously promoted to General of the Armies of the United States. That is the highest rank ever given to a military commander in the United States. No military officer will ever outrank George Washington.

Jim Kohl
95th President
Rotary Club of Las Vegas

President Jim Kohl called the meeting to order. William Stieren gave the invocation. Francesca Gilbert led the club in the Elvis song “I Can’t Help Falling in Love” which we danced to (some of us) to celebrate Valentine’s Day, she then led us in “Happy Birthday” to our First Lady, Judith Kohl, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sergeant at Arms was Joakim Nyoni:

• President Jim encouraged members to share the live stream of our meeting on social media to share our message and our Club with others;
• There were (0) International Rotarians, (1) visiting Rotarians and (22) Guests of Rotarians introduced;
• President Jim presented the heart of our club Shawn Noorda with a bouquet of flowers as a very small token of our appreciation;
• President Jim announcements: Deb Granda is hosting a reception for PP Mary Ann Avnet and her husband Steve Avnet at 6 pm on 2/21; the District Gala is on 3/16 at the World Market Center; the District Conference is on 5/3-5/4 in Anaheim;
• Jerry Engel played a love ballad melody on the harmonica while the 25 Club passed out roses to all the sweethearts in the room; PP Jim Tucker presented the Super Bowl “Fill the Board” winners with their W-9s and checks, $500 each to President Jim, Chris Rodenfels, and Gwen Hall, and the grand prize $1,000 to Sally Donald; Kathy Mahon announced the Stop the Bleed class 1 pm – 2 pm 3/23 at the University Medical Center, free to members and spouses; Rosalee Hedrick inducted our new members Kathy Mahon and Niki Bates; PP Katherine Dalvey and PP Russell Swain discussed the international Mayors Cup being held in Vegas 2/14-2/19; PP Jim Hunt covered the 3/15 Wine Tasting and Cigar Fellowship St. Patty’s Day celebration in collaboration with the Family of Rotary; Joakim Nyoni discussed the 25 Club Happy Hour with the Las Vegas Aviators at their new ballpark on 2/27; PP David Thorson talked about the next Wetzel Awards on 3/28; PE Jackie Thornhill discussed the match of up to 50% for the Paul Harris fellowship; Marie Walsh talked about our successful 2/12 BWB at Beckley ES attended by 15 Rotarians supporting 120 children, 60 adults, totaling 180 people, with 42 reading logs submitted accounting for 420 books read by the children in one month, she mentioned the upcoming Reading Week 2/25 – 2/28 that anyone can sign up for; Janice Lencke highlighted our 4/27 Cuisine & Octane fundraiser and the raffle for tickets purchased by 3/31; President Jim called on Toni Kern to describe how her and Douglas Grant were recognized by Vegas PBS for their volunteer work, and they then committed to a $100 donation to LVRC;
• The weekly drawing began at $5,596 plus this week’s donations. The Ticket Winner was Daniel Hull, who received a prize of $10, and the Lawry’s Bucks Winner was Tina Bishop;
• Tina Bishop introduced our program speaker Kevin Janison, children’s author and award-winning meteorologist;
• President Jim presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit a veteran in need and adjourned the meeting.