ENROLLED HOUSE
RESOLUTION NO. 1017	By:	Dorman, Armes, Banz, Bennett, Billy, Blackwell, Brown, Brumbaugh, Cannaday, Casey, Christian, Cockroft, Condit, Coody, Cooksey, Cox, Dank, Denney, Derby, DeWitt, Enns, Farley, Faught, Fourkiller, Glenn, Grau, Hall, Hamilton, Hardin, Hickman, Hilliard, Holland, Hoskin, Inman, Jackson, Johnson, Jordan, Joyner, Kern, Key, Kirby, Kouplen, Liebmann, Lockhart, Martin (Scott), Martin (Steve), McAffrey, McCullough, McDaniel (Jeannie), McDaniel (Randy), McNiel, McPeak, Moore, Morgan, Morrissette, Mulready, Murphey, Nelson, Newell, Nollan, Ortega, Osborn, Ownbey, Peters, Peterson, Pittman, Proctor, Pruett, Quinn, Renegar, Reynolds, Richardson, Ritze, Roan, Roberts (Dustin), Roberts (Sean), Rousselot, Russ, Sanders, Schwartz, Scott, Sears, Shannon, Shelton, Sherrer, Shoemake, Shumate,  Steele, Stiles, Sullivan, Terrill,  Thomsen, Tibbs, Trebilcock, Vaughan, Virgin, Walker, Watson, Wesselhoft, Williams and Wright

A Resolution commending those who have demonstrated efforts for charity and assistance; commending efforts of Oklahomans assisting with Japanese recovery efforts; and directing distribution. 

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2011, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck the nation of Japan, followed by a deadly tsunami, rolling blackouts and dangerous radiation levels initiated due to stricken nuclear reactors; and

WHEREAS, Rotary District 5750 in Oklahoma has had an exchange program with Rotary District 2520 in Japan for over thirty years, where Oklahoma students stay in the homes of the Japanese people and are treated to experiences and sights that the ordinary traveler does not enjoy, and the favor is returned by Oklahomans hosting Japanese students through this enriching cultural program; and

WHEREAS, approximately twelve Japanese students were scheduled to arrive in Oklahoma City on March 16, 2011, through Wings, a Rotary cultural exchange program, and approximately twelve Oklahoma students were scheduled to visit Japan this summer; and

WHEREAS, the area encompassing Rotary District 2520 encompasses the northern area of Japan, one of the hardest-hit regions and where many of the students from the exchange program are still missing; and

WHEREAS, many Oklahomans, including the Rotary Clubs of District 5750, are donating resources and funds to assist with aid and recovery efforts to the citizens of Japan; and

WHEREAS, the Bricktown Rotary Club is hosting a celebrity waiter/waitress event on March 21, 2011, at Rococo’s Restaurant in Oklahoma City, where the restaurant is donating a portion of the proceeds for the evening to Rotarian efforts for Japanese assistance, along with tips from celebrities and outright donations to the effort. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives commends those who have demonstrated the same efforts for charity and assistance as were shown to our state in the disasters of previous years.     

THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives commends the efforts of Oklahomans who are assisting with Japanese recovery efforts and who maintain the nation of Japan in thought and prayer.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Rotary District 5750 Governor Forrest “Butch” Freeman, Rotary District 5750 Wings Chairman Randy L. Goodman, and Bricktown Rotary President Mark Mann.

Adopted by the House of Representatives the 21st day of March, 2011.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives