What Happened at Our Meeting
on
9th July, 2003
President Henry opened the meeting by reminding members that this was the 2nd meeting of the year. Members praised and were so impressed by his incredible counting skills! Rtn. Lawrence then introduced 2 guests for the day - PP Charles Wong of HK Harbor and Rtn. Razack of HK North East.
President Henry then drew members' attention to the memorable photos appearing in last week's Tung Feng, that were taken in the Installation Dinner took place in the previous week. It even contained photos of two letter of congratulations to Uncle Peter and PDG YK from RI President. To add further good news to everybody, Uncle John then announced that PDG Moses, a former member of HKIE, has been awarded the Gold Bauhania Star medal.
Next comes the usual down-to-earth financial matters. Sergeant-at-arms reported that the total contribution received was $1,300. To spice up the red box further, PP Tim organized an auction of the wine that Rtn. Paul won during the Installation Dinner. After rounds of intense bidding, PDG YK offered the highest bid and became new owner of this 2001 Cabernet Suvignon Sacred Hill for just $450!
Finally, we come to the highlight of the meeting. PP Charles Wong of HK Habour gave a very topic speech regarding Article No. 23 - the article that the HK Government had initially intended to pass on the day before but was withdrew due to public pressure.
Here is a brief summary of the talk:-
1. Article 23
- This is one the articles contained in the Basic Law and is intended to cater for the One-Country-Two-System legal framework.- HK actually had similar laws that were enacted prior to the changeover in 1997.
2. What is national security
For instance, there were laws related to defend of national security (invasion by another country and need to maintain internal security).3. Situation in Hong Kong before 1997
Pre 1997, Treason Laws had already existed in Hong Kong. Treasonable Offenses are acts and intention to depose Government by unlawful means. There were also Official Secret Ordinance, Crime Ordinance and laws that prohibit national spying. Official Secret Ordinance prevented us from forming organizations that pose threat to public order. Registrar of Society may have rights to oppose name registration.
Secretary of Security needed to give a chance for the alleged person to disprove itself capricious before declaring that a society to be outlawed.4. Existing legislation on security of the sate and Hong Kong
(a) Crimes Ordinance
(i) Treason
(ii) Treasonable Offense
(b) Official Secrets Ordinance
(i) Spying
(ii) Disclosure of damaging information
class of information
persons covered
(c) Societies Ordinance
(i) political organization
(ii) proscription procedure
Hong Kong by Secretary for Security & appeal to Executive Council
UK by Home Secretary and time limit of 4 months to enact appropriate legislation
(d) Public Order Ordinance
(e) Common law offenses on sedition and incitement to mutiny
5. Proposed legislation before the last amendment
(a) Addition of sedition, secession and subversion to Crimes Ordinance
(i) extension to people of other nationalities
(ii) extra territorial effect
(b) Proscription of political organizations outlawed by the Central Government
(i) consequence without the amendment
(ii) power of Police (difference between search by Police and search by Police under warrant of court)(c) Possession of seditious material
(d) Disclosure of information classified as State secrets
6. Effect of the latest amendmentsHence,it is reasonable to conclude that most of the laws related to Article#23 existed even before 1997. After 1997, the Legislative Council needs to enact such laws, but the issue is that there is no real judicial process in the PRC Central Government to challenge its decision of deeming someone or some entities as outlaw.
Finally, Dr. Tony Loy gave PP Charles a hardy thanks for a very informative talk. Pres. Henry then closed the meeting by proposing a toast to the Rotary Clubs of Hong Kong Harbour & Hong Kong North East.
Rotary at 100 As the Rotary Centennial approaches, Rotarians around the world are encouraged to focus on three key goals for 2005: eradicating polio, increasing membership to 1.5 million members, and supporting The Rotary Foundation of RI's goal of US$100 per member in donations to the Annual Programs Fund. Once achieved, Rotary will be more capable of spreading goodwill far into its next century of service.
Eradicating Polio
The final phase of Rotary's more than 18-year effort to eradicate polio is proving the most difficult and renewed efforts are being made to bridge a US$275 million funding gap. Through Rotary's efforts and those of partner agencies, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and governments around the world, the world has seen a 99 percent reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide since 1985. Fewer than 10 countries still harbor the poliovirus. Rotary's polio eradication fundraising campaign asks that each club set its own goal to support the campaign. Learn more about the fundraising campaign.Increasing Membership to 1.5 Million Members
In order for Rotary to maintain its status as the premiere service club organization, it is vital that Rotary's membership continue to grow. With just more than 1.2 million members currently, this goal provides an ambitious challenge to clubs around the world to focus their efforts on inviting new community leaders to join the ranks of Rotary service. Learn more about recruiting members.Reaching $100 Per Capita in Annual Giving
To support Rotary's mission, The Rotary Foundation funds world understanding and peace initiatives through local, national, and international humanitarian, education, and cultural programs. In order to continue and expand the good works of the Foundation into the next century, the organization has committed to try to
reach an average of $100 by the centennial year. Learn more about The Rotary Foundation.
An old man was sitting on a park bench sobbing his eyes out. A gentleman stopped and asked him what was wrong.
The old man said, "I have a 22-year-old wife at home. She makes love to me every morning and then gets up and makes me pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit and freshly ground brewed coffee."
The gentleman asked, "Well then, why are you crying?"
The old man exclaimed, "I can't remember where I live!"-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A guy went to a bar and picked up a girl. They went to her home and spent a night there.
The next morning when he got up, he saw a picture of a man on the wall. He asked the girl whether that was her husband. She said no. He then asked whether that was her boy friend. Her answer was again no. The guy wanted to know who the man was.She finally said "that was me before the operation".
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