TY  - SER
AU  - del Rosario, Ernie 
TI  - Report of meetings : : June 22, 1950 
N1  - The Rotary Balita no. 649 (June 29, 1950)
N2  - This was Fathers and Daughters Day, and the Rotarians brought along their little girls, from toddling tots to glamorous sub-debs and young women already on their own. Twenty-two Rotarian daddies had occasion to be doubly proud when their daughters pinned the Order of the Orchid on their lapels for 100% or more attendance during the Rotary year just completed.  "Doc" Ayesa, chairman of the Fellowship Committee, was named Rotarian of the year in recognition for invaluable service above self. He received the gold cup from President "Balmy" Balmaceda and promptly passed the credit to the eleven members of the Fellowship Committee whom he asked. to stand up and receive the gathering's ovation.  Rotary also honored two prominent American oldtimers in the Philippines, namely, Irving Hart, executive secretary of the Band of Mercy in the Philippines, and Brig. Gen. Howard F. Smith, head of the U.S. quarantine service. They were awarded certificates of appreciation. Oldtimer Hart was given the award in recognition for his heroic services to the lepers and crippled children; General Smith for his work in safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of communicable diseases in the Philippines.  Rotarian "Leroy" Young introduced general Smith while "Alva" Hill did the same thing for Irving Hart. They were both eloquent and touching introductions. "Alva" recounted how Mr. Hart started the first leper boy scout unit and the first leper camp fire girls group ever organized in the world. He did it right here in the Islands.  "At that time (in 1924) associating with lepers was considered foolhardy and extremely dangerous, "No possible profit to himself could be anticipated. It was service above self in the superlative degree. Not only have his activities and helpfulness to lepers continued unabated, but his labors have been extended to all physically disabled persons, especially to innumerable cases of harelip, deformed limbs and defective eyes of Philippine youth," "Alva" said.  "Leroy," in turn, paid tribute to the services of General Smith to the Filipino people before the war, then after liberation when he returned with General MacArthur as a member of his staff. He said General Smith's career was dedicated mostly to public health in the Philippines and its progress after the war up to the present time is largely due to his leadership.  Both General Smith and Irving Hart spoke to the Rotarians in modestly eloquent words.  It was one of the most impressive Rotary meetings ever.
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