The headquarters of Rotary International always has been in the area of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. First it was in Chicago itself, but in 1954 an attractive new building opened in suburban Evanston. The Ridge Avenue building met the needs of the Rotary Secretariat until the 1980s when the addition of new programs, the growth of The Rotary Foundation, and the new PolioPlus activities made the headquarters building extremely crowded and required some staff members to be housed in supplementary office space nearby. 

When a modern 18-story office building became available in downtown Evanston in 1987, it appeared to meet all of Rotary's space and expansion needs for years to come. The glass and steel structure, built in 1977, provides 400,000 square feet of office and usable space. The building was purchased by Rotary International, which leases approximately two-thirds of the space to commercial tenants, until needed by future Rotary growth. 

The building provides a 190-seat auditorium, large parking garage and 300-seat cafeteria, as well as functional office space for the 400 employees of the world headquarters. The executive suite on the 18th floor includes conference rooms for the RI board and committee meetings, in addition to the offices for the RI president, president-elect and general secretary. 

One Rotary Center, as it is called, will enhance the efficient operations of Rotary International for many years to come. 

Paulo V.C. Costa
a tribute

by Luis Vicente Giay

We receive life as a gift not to be rejected, noting its passage but unable to retain it at will. After 70 years, the lifetime journey of our very dear friend and companion Paulo Viriato Correa da Costa has ended, notwithstanding our need for him and the wish to keep him here with us. As the somber news of his death in April spread, people the world over, saddened and deeply moved, said good-bye to this great Rotarian whose death is a severe loss to our organization.

Heart and soul, Paulo was a man of contagious "Faith and Enthusiasm," a prominent community leader, a successful businessman, a talented Rotarian and a genuine friend. He was an exceptional man who left his imprint wherever he went, one who discerned his place and stepped forward to fill it, who knew his duty and did it, who possessed knowledge and shared it.

Paulo joined the Rotary Club of Santos, Brazil, in 1956, at the age of 26, quite a phenomenon at the time. In 1972, he served as governor of District 4610, a position that he carried out with remarkable success. He served as R.I. director in 1978-80 and vice-president in 1979-80, attaining the office of R.I. president in 1990-91. A Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, he served as Trustee chairman in 1995-96. In every leadership position that he held, he distinguished himself with his keen mind, ability and talents.

An architect, Paulo was the president of an architectural and construction firm, as well as of a savings and loan association and two real estate investment concerns. He was a hard worker, endowed with a prodigious memory for names, people and facts, who achieved much in his profession and business endeavors through his admirable dedication and his enterprising, creative spirit.

A devoted family man, Paulo and his dear wife, Rita, were blessed with four children and four grandchildren, to whom he dedicated his entire life and with whom he shared strong values, ever giving of himself without a second thought. Their many friends always found the doors of Paulo and Rita's house open, and among them, my wife, Celia, and I often witnessed the depth of their affection and generosity.

As a Rotarian, Paulo inspired, launched and promoted great endeavors with favorable results because his vigorous, enthusiastic presence and the impetus of his thoughts and actions moved us to follow him and to serve at his side. The enormous challenge of PolioPlus profited from the very outset from Paulo's commitment and sense of responsibility to pursue the program's goals. His efforts earned him the PolioPlus Pioneer Award, one of many distinctions conferred by Rotary. In addition, Paulo was recognized time and again by other NGOs and governments of many nations. In Paulo Costa, Brazil had a fine ambassador and a man of impressive stature.

As R.I. president, his service bore the same mark of success that characterized every one of his life's endeavors. He urged us, through his theme, to "Honor Rotary with Faith and Enthusiasm" and also to "Preserve Planet Earth." As he said: "We are the inheritors of this Earth, and we must defend it, protect it and preserve it — not only for ourselves, but also for our children and our children's children." The green jacket worn by Board members and district governors during his year in office — a color straight from nature — set the stage for Rotary's "green wave," and under his leadership, Rotarians sought to leave an environmentally better world for the new generations. In 1996-97, during my year as R.I. president, we held a Rotary Peace Forum in Antarctica, and Paulo was the leader of the ecology team that carried the principles of environmental protection to that little explored continent.

Truely gifted with the ability for making friends everywhere he went, he considered friendship to be one of the greatest joys of the spirit. He was a friend in good times and in bad, in both happy times and sad times. I shall always remember him as one of the best friends that life has given me.

Paulo put his whole heart into everything he did, and that made him special to all who knew him and had the opportunity to avail themselves of his inspiration and leadership. His personal attitude was a testimony to what human dignity and the importance of service meant to him. His life was a steady ascent to the heights that only the chosen may conquer.

As we sadly bid Paulo farewell, we are grateful for the legacy he has left us. We shall remember him as a human being who put heart and soul into serving others. Those of us who were privileged to be his friends will often evoke the example he set for us. A true citizen of the world, a Rotarian through and through, a beloved friend, Paulo has left us. Though we say good-bye, his memory remains. His soul has gone on to seek the Lord.

Luis Vicente Giay is a current Trustee of The Rotary Foundation and a past president (1996-97) of R.I. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Arrecifes, Argentina.