Meeting called to order at 7:00 AM with 29 members in attendance.
Art Harrington did the invocation, Phil Goode did the Pledge of Allegiance, Dwayne Warrick recited the 4 Way Test.
Thought of the Day by Jerry Fohrman: You don’t have to be great to start but you have to start to be great.
President Clent announced meetings will continue to be held on ZOOM until the end of July. Guests: Donna Jacobs, John Scholl.
Sgt at Arms Greg Raskin fined everybody. Lots of Happy Bucks.
Guest Speaker:
Richard Lederer. Richard is a Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow. He is the author of over 50 books on history and humor, is the co-host of A Way With
Words on KCBS Radio in San Diego and a nationally syndicated columnist. He has been named International Punster of the Year and is a Toastmaster International Golden Gavel winner. His current book, A Treasure of Halloween Humor was just released and his book Christmas Humor will be out in two weeks. These will be available to Rotarians signed and in scripted, for $13,with $8 going to Rotary.
According to the National Association of Educational History, Americans lack knowledge of U.S. history. 25% believe Columbus set sail in 1750, 33% don’t know when we achieved our independence, 75% don’t know who we gained independence from. Only 7% of people can name the 1st 4 Presidents in order, many don’t know the 3 branches of our government and only 25% know who’s on Mt. Rushmore. 52% can name all the members of the Simpsons.
Some Historical Presidential Facts: The 2nd and 3rd Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died on the 4th of July, 1876, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was Adams’ Vice President. After Adams’ 1st term, Jefferson ran against him and won. Our youngest President was
Theodore Roosevelt at 42yrs and 10 mos. He was first Vice President to William McKinley. McKinley was assassinated and Roosevelt became President and was elected as President for his second term. The Teddy Bear was named after him for his refusal to shoot a bear cub tied to a tree. A drawing of this was published in national newspapers. A novelty company began producing the bears and Roosevelt began using the Teddy Bear as a campaign symbol.
The oldest person elected President is Donald Trump at 70 yrs. and 5 mos. James Madison was the shortest President at 5’ 4’’ Abraham Lincoln was the tallest at 6’ 4” and William Taft was the heaviest at 340lbs and was 6’ tall. Taft became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He was the only person to head 2 branches of government.
In the history of our Presidential elections 5 people won the popular vote but lost the Electoral vote: Andrew Jackson, Samuel Tilden, Grover Cleveland, Al Gore and Hillary Clinton. All were Democrats.
More historical facts can be found in Richard Lederers’ book of Presidential Trivia. Rotarians may purchase it for $12, signed and in scripted. Visit his website verbivore.com.