History
of
The Rotary Club of Space Center (Houston), Texas, and U.S.A.
 Rotary International District 5890 (589)
Club 2010
for 
Rotary Year 1996-1997

President   
John W. "Bill" Lowes III  

Chartered August 6, 1964

Thirty three years of serving the local and world communities with a passion for “Service Above Self”

Officers
President Elect
Donnie Johnson
Secretary
Mike Dennard
Treasurer
Dick Gregg, Jr.
  Sergeant at Arms
Ron Blilie

Directors
Bill Taylor
Vann Jones
Ed Geissler
Al Brady
Suzi Howe
Johnny Gibson
Dick Hergert
Sandra Sausley
Jim Saxe

The Club continued to meet at the Nassau Bay Hilton each Monday at noon with interesting programs from guest speakers and several programs regarding the Club’s activities, Laura Hale was the Program Committee Chair, Jerome Bourgeois led  the members in songs, and the members shared in saying the pledge to the U. S. flag and prayer.  Golf, under the leadership of Bill Predmore, was a favorite fellowship activity. More fellowship, facilitated by Bill Taylor, was provided with Rotary Nite at  the Astros. Rotary at the Rodeo, and a Christmas party. Dr. David Taylor arranged for a presentation on the Korean war as one of the meeting programs.  His letter dated July 6, 1996 discusses the program and contains an excerpt on the U. S. Air Force in Korea including a list of Club members who served in the Korean War.  A   Commemorative Program   on the Korean War was also in the documents. 

Two of the Club members were former District 5890 governors, Floyd Boze  1981-1982 and Billy Weseman  1993-1994.  Vince Lipovsky, a chartered member of the Club, 14 past presidents, and Floyd Boze continue to attend the weekly Club meetings. The Club’s membership at the end of the Rotary year was  177  members based on information in the history folder.  There were no Club Board of Director meeting minutes.  There was a  listing of the avenues of service committees and committee chairs.

Financial  documents consisted of a spreadsheet noting a donation to the  Rotary International Foundation of $5,000; $500 to the House of Friendship; $500 to the Interact/Rotaract; and the proceeds from the fundraiser of  $37,600.  The amount of monies made from the fund raiser during the  year was $37,600  bringing the total amount raised since the first recorded fundraiser in 1968 estimated to be $597,870.  Shrimporee cochairs were Johnny Gibson, Jim Saxe, and Mike Duckworth.  View the Shrimporee poster.

There were 2 (out a possible 22 if issued every other week) issue of the Club’s newsletter  that can be located.  The   Club Programs and Special Events listing contained  4 programs.  Tom Weir was the editor.  The 2 issues had a different format and logo and was called "The Bulletin", not "Blastoff".  The newsletter was 8 and one half by 3 and one half, black and white, formatted like a book with  pages.  The issues was four pages printed on both sides.

The Club selected Melinda Millsof Space Center Intermediate as Teacher of the Year.  Five teachers were honored from the 25 schools throughout the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) on May 9,1997 during the regular Club meeting.  The awards program marks the seventh year the Club honored and recognized outstanding CCISD teachers.  The five recipientsof Certificates for Excellence in Education awards, along with Mills, included Richard Williams of Clear Lake High School, Laura Phillips Mackay of Walter Hall Elementary, Rebecca Hoffman of Clear View High School, and Paula Shock of Space Center Intermediate School.  Mills will receive a Rotary Excellence in Education award of $1,000, an honorary membership in the Club, a personal plaque and a plaque for display at the teacher's school.  Her name will he added to a permanent plaque on display at the CCISD administrative offices.  The other four recipients will each receive certificates and a $300 award.  Read press release and brochure.

The Excellence in Law Enforcement Committee, chaired by Bill Farries, had the great privilege of meeting a tremendous group of nominees. Each one of them represents the best of Law Enforcement, going far beyond the basic requirements of their duties in serving our families and businesses. It was not easy narrowing down the group of five finalists to a single Officer of the Year for 1997. They are all winners and deserve the recognition and appreciation of all the citizens they serve. Please give them a warm Rotary welcome as they are introduced to the membership and visitors today, and take the opportunity to thank them for their ongoing contributions. Although only one will be recognized as the Officer of the Year, they are all Distinguished Service Award winners and invaluable to our community.  The honorees were Deputy Ronald F. Bulter, Harris Country Sheriff's Department; Officer John J. "Jay" Henderson, Houston Police Department; Officer John D. Levrier, Houston Police Department; Officer Sean Wright, Seabrook Police Department; and Captain Kevin Graves, Harris County Constable's Office, Pct 8.  Read about the program.
 
The Club continued (fifth year) the Three Wishes for Christmas program which fulfilled Christmas wishes for children in the protective service of Harris and Brazoria Counties. These wishes were for youngsters up to 18 years of age, who are in special homes and institutions.  These children are not in Children Protective Services' care for things that they have done but for abuse or neglect, done to them by parents and others.  This year the Club purchased 30 bicycles and 30 helmets for this program.  See a photo journey on bikes.

Hilmar Zeissig was the District 5890 GSE Chairman.