In the very near future, I will be introducing a resolution recognizing October 24, 2023, as "World Polio Day" in Pennsylvania.
 
In 1985 Rotary launched PolioPlus and in 1988 helped establish the Global PoIio Eradication Initiative to immunize the children of the world against Polio.
 
Polio cases have dropped by 99.9 percent since 1988, and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease.  To date, Rotary has contributed more than $2.6 billion and countless volunteer hours to protecting more than 3 billion children in 122 countries.
 
Rotary is working to raise an additional $50 million per year over the next three years that would be leveraged for maximum impact with every dollar to be matched with two additional dollars from the Gates Foundation, which would translate to $450 million total.  These efforts are providing much-needed operational support, medical staff, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents.  In addition, Rotary has played a major role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
 
There are more than 1.2 million Rotary members in more than 35,000 clubs throughout the world that sponsor service projects to address such critical issues as poverty, disease, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment in their local communities and abroad.

Please join me in cosponsoring this important resolution to recognize “World Polio Day” in Pennsylvania.