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Saipan proclaimed as ‘Rotary Peace Island’
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Posted on Nov 20 2000
Saipan was declared a Rotary Peace Island Friday with the unveiling of the Rotary Peace Monument at the American Memorial Park, setting sail an enduring Rotary Club mission to promote peace and understanding in the islands and around the globe.
The island joins numerous peace cities around the world to include selected places in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the Philippines, all pledging to advocate the “war against drugs and poverty,” among other pressing social issues.
Rotary Club of Saipan members, who have served the islands for 33 years now, spearheaded the inauguration of the peace campaign Friday, vowing to promote and enhance the concept of good citizenship by virtue of the ideal “service above self” in all forms.
The organization has pledged to support the duly constituted authorities of Saipan, the educators and molders of the youth, civic leaders, the environmentalists, and other sectors who equally desire harmony, peace, freedom, and understanding among individuals.
“Today, we can all say that this Rotary Club of Saipan not only took up the challenge but we succeeded in accomplishing our goal to “create and increase awareness of peace…by taking action” to build a symbolic monument to Peace in our beloved island of Saipan,” said Rotary Club of Saipan president Hermie S. Queja at Friday’s ceremony.
Saipan Mayor Jose C. Sablan officially declared Saipan as a “Rotary Peace Island” as he also called on citizens to support and nurture the culture of peace between nations of the country and citizens of all nations.
The first Rotary Peace monument was erected in the city of Wagga Wagga, in New South Wales, Australia on Feb. 23, 1993. But the vision started way back in 1990 when then incoming club president Tony Quinlivan introduced the Peace Project to help bring about peace in families and communities throughout the world.
Philippines’ capital, Manila was the first Peace City in Asia followed by several cities in Japan. (MM)
