President Dan Ouweleen brought the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. He began with a few announcements. He had shared at our last meeting the passing of our beloved, longstanding member, Buck Catlin. Arrangements have been made for a viewing at the Macaulay-Wallace Mortuary this Friday, September 26, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., with the service this Saturday, September 17, at 10:45 a.m. at the Fullerton Presbyterian Church. Buck had a long and distinguished career and had been a member of our club since 1986. On a lighter note, Dan announced that our club’s participation in the Chili Cook-Off at Angel Stadium on the night of the Rotary District End Polio Angels Game Event was a success. Among the 20 entries, our club came in third place. Also, a sincere thank you was offered to Joe Lins for his assistance in getting the Elks Lodge sign re-painted. Members will also note that our Rotary Club logo now adorns the sign on Brea Boulevard. Frank Kawase led the members in the Pledge, followed by a lovely Invocation by Terri Grassi. Griff Duncan led the club in singing “God Bless, America” and our traditional “Smile.”

Announcements—Dan Ouweleen asked that if there were any of the club members who would be willing to do a craft-talk on their business in the coming weeks, please let him know. It would be the usual 15 minutes in length, and we are encouraging members to let us know more their businesses. Greg Hickman asked for a couple of volunteers to stay after the meeting to help clean up. He will be circulating a sign-up sheet next week for this much-needed help. It doesn’t take long and makes a big difference. Vern Andrews indicated there were Endowment Award nomination sheets at the tables. We have some extra money to help with unmet needs in the community. Please take this opportunity to apply. They will be due by October 19. Terri Grassi indicated that J Richey is now home from the hospital and doing well and a card or phone call would be appreciated. Also, Frances Hunter has had successful surgery, and a card to her would be welcome as well. Raco reminded the members that sponsorships are needed for the Jog-a-Thon on October 22. Dan Kiernan reminded the membership about the October 8 Boys and Girls Club of Fullerton event, the 43rd Annual Kids Auction. There is an opportunity drawing as well, with the four prizes being 40, 30, 20 or 10 bottles of wine, respectively. (Definitely, an ideal “opportunity” to re-stock the wine cabinet.) Bill Schenk reminded members that they should not just come for lunch, but take advantage of coming early to the weekly meetings and availing themselves of the fellowship “opportunity” the club offers. And speaking of “opportunities,” Allyn Lean had the winning lottery ticket for the opportunity drawing today, but the prize-winning owl eluded him.

Brett Ackerman did the honors today as the Recognition Master. Marilyn Richards was recognized for her Rotarian anniversary and Griff Duncan was recognized for the birthday of his wife, Jan. Raco and his wife, Robin Marie, are celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary, and Terri Grassi was recognized for her birthday. Pat McKinley, Larry Bennett, Dan Kiernan and Mike Oates were also recognized (the latter on finally being able to fill out the on-line Rotary International Grants form). And in a masterly stroke, Brett Ackerman fined every attending member who was not wearing their Rotary pin… a dollar.

Mike Cochran introduced our guests today, Wen Chen and Marie-Paul Baxiu. Wen Chen is a graduate of Cal Tech with a doctorate in Biology, an active member of Amnesty International, and works for NTD Global TV Network and The Epoch Times. They are the largest media information organization providing uncensored information about China. Her topics today included the persecution of practitioners of Falun Gong in China. Falun Gong is a body and mind practice based on principles of traditional Chinese culture (truthfulness, compassion and forbearance). Its massive popularity and emphasis on independent thinking is seen as a threat by the communist government and has resulted in aggressive suppression. Tied directly to this is the chilling practice of forced organ harvesting. Non-consenting prisoners of conscience are the primary source of organs. Imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners remain the main target of forced organ extraction. It is estimated that China’s annual transplant numbers have been 60,000 to 100,000 since the year 2000. 90% of those who have been subject to forced organ extraction are Falun Gong, with 10% from Christians, Tibetans and Ughurs. She also shared the international response to what is occurring in China, including resolutions in the states of Maine, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maine, Delaware and Colorado and a U.S. Congressional Resolution passed this year that had 185 co-sponsors. It was a moving presentation and elicited several questions from the membership.