Congresswoman Martha McSally proudly represents the people of Arizona’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the Committees on Armed Services and Homeland Security and as the chair of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.

 

Prior to serving in Congress, Representative McSally served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 2010 as a full Colonel. She is the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat and first to command a fighter squadron in combat in United States history.

 

Rep. McSally is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and after training to fly the A-10 Warthog, flew her first combat mission to Iraq while deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in 1995. During that assignment, she flew nearly 100 combat hours in support of Operation Southern Watch in the Middle East.

 

Rep. McSally was next selected to become an A-10 Instructor Pilot in the 358th Fighter Squadron, becoming the first woman in U.S. history to serve in that role.

 

She also is an accomplished triathlete, having won the National Military Triathlon Championship multiple times and the Military Division of the grueling Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.

 

Rep. McSally is an avid outdoors enthusiast who in her free time enjoys running and hiking with her Golden Retriever rescue, Boomer.

 

 

Our club starts each year on such a rush! That perennial cheering is your immediate Past President celebrating! So is Mary, like Presidents before her, happy to no longer be President? Or thrilled by the successes of the club during 2014-15? Maybe it’s a bit of both. As she celebrated with us last meeting, there is much for all of us to be proud of having accomplished.

 

Recognizing the achievements of the Martin administration, including membership growth, it seemed obviously appropriate to initiate a “Twelve More Months” movement (akin to the “four more years” chants after the first term of a US President). Much to my disappointment, there was no support for my idea of a 2015-16 Martin Presidency. (I take this as sympathy for the President having just completed a term and not as an indication of any dissatisfaction with that person’s performance.) So, don’t say you didn’t have your chance to avoid a new, untested, and unconventional President!

 

Being Club President is a challenge. Ask any of the dozens of members in RCOT who have been there. A year being in the President’s position may be as much as we should expect from someone. But that’s not to suggest that our club doesn’t consistently succeed. The collective efforts of hundreds of talented and dedicated members and of our club staff will produce a better world, notwithstanding any shortcomings in yours truly. That inspires confidence. Year-in and year-out, the Rotary Club of Tucson will maintain its tradition of service to communities both local and international.

 

For 2015-16, your involvement in Rotary will be as important as ever. Each member has something to bring to the rich variety of resources that enable us to serve. In the weeks ahead, we’ll look at what you can bring, at what your role can be. You should periodically review the collection of abilities you can bring to Rotary. Give what you can, and give what you enjoy giving. With everyone doing that, we will achieve much.

 

For the year ahead, Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran asks each Rotarian to “Be a Gift to the World.” Don’t miss the opportunity.

 

Pre-set Salad:  Field Greens Salad - Ranch and Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing.

Beef Tri-Tip:  Roasted Herb Beef Tri Tip rubbed with Onion Sauce and served with Red Bliss Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables.

Doubletree Cookies Served Family Style, Coffee, Decaf, Iced Tea.

Tucson Ratatouille:  Roasted Vegetables with Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil and Garlic over Vegetable Fried Rice & Tofu.