R TARY ANCH R New Rotary Club District 7980 Club 6741 P.O. Box 654 New London, CT 06320 www.newlondonrotary.org Meeting Thursday January 28, 2010 2009/2010 Rotary Theme New London AM Club at City News “America’s Tall Ship” USCG Barque Eagle Jan 28 Promoting your Organization-Melissa Babcock Program January 7, 2010 Feb 4 Dave Goebel’s Ground Hog Day Program By: Ann Connolly Lee Cole-Chu introduced today’s program and speaker, his col- Reporters: Jan 28 Meredith Diette league, friend and neighbor, Robert Kim Bingham, Esq. Atty Feb 4 Alan Messier Bingham was born in Buenos Aires Greeter: Jan28 Julia Kushigian-Secor when his father was sta- Feb 4 John Bysko tioned there with the US Foreign Service. He Song Leader: Jan 28 Peg Curtin attended , Feb 4 Liz Binger received his law degree Birthdays Jan 29 Millie Devine from Boston University, and pursued a 37 year government career, Anniversaries Feb 2 Myron Hendel & Rita recently serving in the Dept of Homeland The Eagle has landed at the Radisson Security. The Eagle Committee of the Atty Bingham first New London Rotary Club, Pete gave us a brief history of Connair, Rod White, Tom four generations of his family. and his wife were mis- Wetmore, and Lisa Kasprzak (of sionaries in , and they were portrayed in the Radisson Hotel) was formed to James Michener’s book, Hawaii. Hiram Bingham II was a to Hawaii and the Gilbert Islands and translated the into the language of the Gilbert Islands. Hiram Bingham III served as Governor of CT. and a US Senator from CT. replace the broken wing of He also re-discovered the ruins at Machu Picchu. the eagle that was on top of Hiram Bingham IV, his father and subject of his the flag. With Lisa’s help the recently published book, Courageous Dissent, was a US vice-con- committee successfully sul in , prior to WW II and was in charge of issuing visas. accomplished the task. Pete Atty Bingham’s website summarizes the book as follows: introduced the new eagle to Courageous Dissent “captures Mr. Bingham’s compelling story of the club and led us in the placing humanity above his career during the early days of the pledge of allegiance. Another Holocaust. Mr. Bingham defied his government's restrictive immi- example of Rotarians seeing gration policies by running an a need and finding a solution. underground railroad out of his Good work! villa. Both Jewish and non-Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler sought life- Morning Club Open Invitation: saving visas from him during 1940- 41.” It is estimated that he saved R.A.H. Thursday January 28th 5-7pm City News between 1000 and 2500 lives by Rotary After Hours providing visas. Mr. Bingham A chance to meet for fellowship resigned from the Foreign Service with your fellow Rotarians in a in 1945 when he was passed over for promotions because of his relaxed no meeting format. Wine early war rescue activities.” and Cheese and Beatles Music, Courageous Dissent also discusses Atty. Bingham's campaign games, along with a special per- to obtain a U.S. commemorative stamp bearing his father's image formance by the morning club. depicting Hiram Bingham IV as a 'Distinguished American Diplomat.’ Show your support for these kinds The Commemorative Stamp was one in a series of six of events by attending. As always Distinguished American Diplomats and was issued in 2006. Also, he was posthumously awarded the 'Constructive Dissent' award on you can invite a guest. If you know June 27, 2002. This was presented by Secretary of State Colin you can go, RSVP to Robin or to Powell on behalf of the American Foreign Service Assoc. our website contact. But you are The book also reveals Bingham's private life after resigning invited to show up last minute too! from the Foreign Service in 1945.