Rotary Club Bilbao International - Spain

Welcome Speech Transcript – Benefit Dinner “Together for a World without

Polio” - remarks given by Jesús García, president of RC Bilbao International

Thank you Denise Klischan for sending this English translation!

Dear fellow Rotarians, family members, friends, members of the Real

Aeroclub de Vizcaya, distinguished guests, good evening:

It is a true honour for me, on behalf of the Rotary Club Bilbao

International, to extend a most cordial welcome to this Benefit Dinner

“Together for a World without Polio”, held in such an emblematic

venue as the Sociedad Bilbaína, a historic institution of our city which

graciously hosts us tonight.

Allow me to begin by expressing our deep gratitude to Dr. Juan Ignacio

Goiria Ormazábal, President of the Sociedad Bilbaína, for opening

the doors of this renowned house, where tradition and civic commitment

blend in exemplary fashion.

I would also like to extend a very special greeting to our guests of

honour, Rotary pilots Peter Teahen and Ed Galkin.

Peter is a Rotarian, humanitarian, and seasoned pilot from Cedar

Rapids, Iowa (USA). With more than fifty years of flying experience, he

has led major Rotary fundraising flights, including a round-the-world

journey in 2023. A funeral director and mental-health professional, he is

widely recognized for his global disaster-relief work and outstanding

Rotary service.

Ed is a New Jersey periodontist and passionate aviator. He has flown

around the world four times and holds multiple advanced pilot ratings. At

the age of eighty-nine, he continues to set records, as shown by his

participation in Circle the Atlantic – Flight to End Polio 2025.

They are true ambassadors of Rotary’s cause. Your feat of flying around

the world in a small aircraft—first in 2023 and again this year on the

Flight to End Polio – Atlantic Crossing—is an inspiration to all of us.

Through your courage and dedication you remind us that there are no

boundaries when the goal is to serve humanity.

My heartfelt thanks go as well to all Rotarians, family members,

friends, and members of the Real Aeroclub de Vizcaya present here

this evening. Your participation and support give this event the strength

and reach that we envision.

I wish to recognize in a very special way Denise Klischan, Past

President of RC Ibiza International, whose enthusiasm and

perseverance made possible the contact with our distinguished pilots

and who has worked so diligently in organizing this evening. Denise,

without your commitment, this gathering would not have become a

reality.

My gratitude also extends to my colleagues of the Rotary Club Bilbao

International, who have worked with dedication and joy so that tonight

might be a success, and to each of you for responding to this call to

service.

Tonight we come together for a mission that transcends borders and

generations: to eradicate polio from the world. Rotary has led this

cause for more than three decades, and every action, every contribution,

every word of encouragement brings us closer to the day when polio will

be nothing more than a memory of history.

Dear friends, I sincerely hope that this evening will be a most pleasant,

fraternal, and inspiring experience for everyone. May the spirit of

Rotary friendship, service, and hope for a polio-free world accompany us

tonight and in all our future endeavors.

On behalf of the Rotary Club Bilbao International, I thank you for

being here and for sharing in this commitment. Welcome, and may you

enjoy this magnificent evening!

Thank you very much.