President's Pen
1875 was 143 years ago. California's now world class wine reputation was barely imaginable. Kanaye Nagasawa was a refugee with ability and ambition. He was inspired also by the vision of a Utopian whose name is locally perpetuated, Thomas Lake Harris, as far as we know not related to Rotary International founder Paul Harris. Mr Nagasawa succeeded Mr Harris role as head of The Brotherhood of New Life, here in Santa Rosa.
In the 1960's American President Dwight Eisenhower believed peace was more sustainable through citizen exchange programs and our SRKSEP's growing 31 year duration is a legacy to that concept.
2017 brought Santa Rosa and Kagoshima even closer and stronger as natural disaster devastated people and property. Using the 2015 LARCA model of cooperative relief support, hundreds of fire survivors have been provided a bridge back to some semblance of normality, and moreover they have expressed deep gratitude for the knowledge of such widespread generosity.
The courage and vision of Mr. Nagasawa, Harris' Thomas Lake and Paul, and thousands world-wide are enduring evidence that Service Above Self is a commitment to sustainable hope and a more peaceable world.
The Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Sunrise is grateful and inspired by our Friends in Kagoshima and around the world who Do What Matters. October 14 is set for another local opportunity to support our neighbors recovering from recent fires. Middletown Rotary is among the sponsors of a regional recovery response.
143 years and the continuing pulse of courage to innovate inspires individuals and countries to Build Goodwill and Better Friendships and honors the commitments which have given us a future to move responsively into.
Be sure to read in this issue of the Sunriser Chris Smith's Press Democrat reprint of last Friday's meeting of the mayors of Kagoshima and Santa Rosa.
