City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, Rotary International and the Rotary Clubs of the Santa Maria Valley & Nipomo have been engaged in a 38-year campaign to eradicate Polio worldwide; and WHEREAS, Rotary brings 121 years of history to this initiative. Its members are business, professional and community leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Over 35,000 Rotary clubs located in more than 200 countries and geographical areas build coalitions and initiate service projects to address today’s challenges, including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, and environmental concerns.
WHEREAS, when Rotary began its mission to eradicate polio more than 350,000 children in 125 countries were stricken with polio every year, and nearly 1,000 people were affected by the crippling disease every day.
WHEREAS, today only two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan – remain polioendemic. Due to efforts of the Rotary and its partners, the world is on the threshold of ending polio forever, making it only the second disease after smallpox to be eradicated; and WHEREAS, public awareness, advocacy and funding remain crucial to Rotary and its partners, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF;.
NOW, THEREFORE, I ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria hereby proclaim October 24, 2026 as:
“WORLD POLIO DAY”
in the City of Santa Maria.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 20th day of October 2026.
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor