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Invocation by PP John McGinn
"We are thankful for this day that you have given us, for its blessings, its opportunities, its challenges. May we appreciate and use each day that comes to us. We pray for strength and guidance for each day as it comes, for each day's duties, for each day's problems. May we be challenged to give our best always, and may we be assured of your presence with us. Amen."
 Our March 1 speaker was Peter F. Neronha, United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.
Mr. Neronha came to explain what the role of the US Attorney is and how it differs from the Rhode Island Attorney General. He explained that the US Attorney's office prosecutes people who break federal laws such as terrorism, bank robberies, financial fraud and environmental crimes. Rhode Island has six FBI agents working in the office just investigating these crimes alone.
Often times, his office will work with local, state offices for two reasons, first would be if the crime does fit the federal law, but are found by local officials, then his office will get involved or, for some of those long time criminals, if the officials feel a federal trial could take that person away from Rhode Island for a long time; they will be tried in federal court. There are 105 federal prisons in the US, but none in Rhode Island. This means that prisoners go far away and gets very little visitors from Rhode Island. Hopefully, this may discourage people from breaking federal law.
Other issue of importance discussed is the increase of violent domestic crimes with violators aging from age 13 to 24. This trend has increased and these crimes are now happening early in the morning hours later in the week. He is working with local police to try to intervene in communities where these crimes are happening to decrease the impact and occurrence of these crimes.
Mr. Neronha was appointed US Attorney in September of 2009. He is a native Rhode Islander, a 4th generation's resident of Jamestown and a graduate of Boston College, class of 1989; He is married and has four children. He can be reached at his office: 401-709-5000.
(Note: Our own Jerry & Suzanne Cannon's ancestor, Peter C. Cannon, was a US Attorney.)
 
I start this week's message by commenting on the continuing great job Pat Germani and the program committee are doing in lining up quality, interesting and important program presenters and topics.
Our new US Attorney impressed me with his breadth of knowledge, intellect, competence and well prepared and delivered presentation. Added to that, he is a Rotarian type of person (a Lion too). I wish him the best not only in doing the necessary work to keep us safe, but also in finding new ways to effectively deal with the young on young murder and domestic violence problems in our communities.
I hope someone(s) will sep up and provide housing for a GSE team member visiting from Uruguay - contact PP Paul Segal. I am also most pleased that we are once again participating in the annual peanut butter drive. Bring in the stuff with the highest protein!
Please attend, with a potential new member, our Bring a Guest Meeting March 22 and the next Rotary After Dark (now partially so) March 25.
Finally, some upcoming dates and events to plan for:
- The District Assembly is Saturday morning April 10 in Seekonk (J&W Inn)
- Our trip to the Barker Playhouse is May 13
- And fun in the Sun (maybe even the surf) will be plentiful at the District Conference May 14-16 at the Cape Codder Resort.
See you Monday,
Richard
PP Paul Segal: The group Study Exchange Team will be here from April 24th to May 1st. This group is from Uruguay. We still need Host Families.
Holly Applegate: The Barker Playhouse will host us on May 13th at 8:00 PM. It will be $35.00 per person.
Steve Rotondo: On Thursday the 25th, we will have our next Rotary After Dark at Tortilla Flats, 365 Hope St. The cost will be $10.00.
Jenny Miller: We are doing well with our membership, but there are some areas where we would like members. They are: education, religion, television, hospitals, restaurants and retail.
Kris David: The Peanut Butter Drive is happening this month. Bring jars of Peanut Butter with you to the meetings this month for donations to the Rhode Island Food Bank.
Jerry Cannon: Donations to Haiti have now reached $7,500.00. |
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