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Ripples from the Rapids Archive
| Ripples from the Rapids - June 28, 2004 | | ROTARY CLUB OF CEDAR RAPIDS RIPPLES FROM THE RAPIDS MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2004 Editor: Larry H. Christy * Telephone: 363-6301 * Fax: 363-6301 * E-Mail: crrotary@mchsi.com * Web Site: www.rotaryclubofcedarrapids.org * District 5970 * Club 2185 * Chartered June 1, 1914 PASSING THE GAVEL President Chuck Peters (2003-2004) "Passed the Gavel" on June 28, 2004 to President John Bickel (2004-2005). The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids is celebrating its 90th Birthday this month, but Bickel will actually be the club's 92nd President. Since the club was formed on June 1, 1914, two presidents have left office before the completion of their terms. The new president appeared relieved when the Reverend Len Ranson reported (during his invocation) that one former president relocated to another city and the other left for health reasons; neither left through an acrimonious impeachment process. Chuck Peters shared some observations about his year as club president. Ninety years after its formation the club has grown and prospered. Current membership stands at an all-time high of 351 with 31 new members admitted during the Rotary year and only 14 resignations and other terminations. The focus of the Rotary year was addressing the principal needs at Metro High School in Cedar Rapids. Metro is a school where over 20% of the students are homeless, 25% live on their own, 15% of female students are pregnant, 85% enter Metro with a GPA of less than 2.0 and 30% of Metro's 600 students are receiving special education services because they are discrepant in grade level achievement. Data also shows that 51% of Metro students are significantly deficient in reading comprehensive skills. Cedar Rapids Rotary organized to help Metro in the areas of fundraising and supporting career and college initiatives. Rotarians helped organize for the most successful "garage sale" in Metro History, raising $9,000 for the Metro Scholarship Program and the Metro Recognition Program. In addition, Rotary members provided tutorial support in Metro classrooms and by tutoring students attending Kirkwood classes. The top priority identified by Metro was technology support for literacy. Over $25 thousand in voluntary contributions was deposited with The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation for the purchase and installation of hardware and a reading software program for Metro students called SuccessMaker. The club joined other area clubs in announcing funding of a project for the Rotary International Centennial in 2005. The project is aimed at improving the appearance and functionality of the north pond of Cedar Lake as a recreational and educational asset for the community. Cedar Rapids will contribute a total of $30,000 to that project. The club continued its International focus with a renewal of its commitment to A Promise of Health, a program designed to bring safe, effective and affordable healthcare to the Maya people of rural Mexico. The club also completed its initial commitment to Gearing Up for Kids and continued its support for The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids Scholarship Program for the benefit of students from Kirkwood, Coe, Mount Mercy and Cornell. The First Annual Hoover-Wallace Dinner was a great success of the 2004-05 Rotary year. It celebrated the 90th birthday of Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Norman Borlaug. The dinner, held in Cedar Rapids, was sponsored by Rotary District 5970 and Rotary District 6000. THE ROTARY CLUB OF CEDAR RAPIDS PRESIDENT FOR 2004-2005 JOHN M. BICKEL IS NUMBER 92 At the Monday meeting, John M. Bickel assumed the position of 92nd President of The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids when Chuck Peters (Number 91) passed the gavel of office into Bickel's care and custody for the 2004-2005 Rotary year. John is a senior vice president with Shuttleworth and Ingersoll, P. L. C., where he has been in trial practice with the firm since 1970. Born September 21, 1943 (in Tyler, Texas), he was raised in Cedar Rapids. As an undergraduate he attended the University of Colorado and later Cornell College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1966. He continued his education at Florida State University, earning his Juris Doctorate with honors in 1969. His many professional affiliations include the American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow and Iowa Chairman {1998-2000}), American Board of Trial Advocates (National Board Representative {2000-present}, Iowa Chairman {1999} and Charter Member), Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers (Fellow), Iowa Association of Workers Compensation Lawyers (President (2001-2002), Board of Governors (Founding Member), American Bar Association, Iowa Bar Association, Linn County Bar Association and Florida Bar Association. John is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the National Rivers Hall of Fame and the Cedar Rapids Symphony (president in 2001). He is a Trustee of Junior Achievement of East Central Iowa, Inc. since 2000 and was a member of the Board of Directors from 1997-1999. He is a Trustee of Cornell College, Alternative Services, and Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. John and his wife, Mary Ellen have a son, J. P., and a daughter, Kristin, and four grandchildren. CHANGING THE GUARD Ronda Hill and Tom Hobson each received a plaque at the "Passing the Gavel" meeting on June 28 commemorating their two-year terms of office as Directors of Cedar Rapids Rotary (July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2004). Former club president (2002-2003), Carroll Reasoner, also concluded her service as a board member effective June 30. The new board, beginning their new terms of office on July 1, 2004, consists of President John Bickel and President-Elect Larry Helling (2004-2005), Past President Chuck Peters (2003-2004), Directors (terms ending 6-30-2005) Lee Clancey, Jon Dusek, Ann Lipsky and Bob Vancura and (terms ending 6-30-2006) Dee Baird, George Brunscheen and Steve Shriver. Larry Christy will continue as Secretary/Treasurer and George Baldwin as Sergeant-At-Arms. NORM NIELSEN RECEIVES CLUB COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Former Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids President Carroll Reasoner (2002-2003) presented former Cedar Rapids Rotary President Norman R. Nielsen (1994-1995) with the club's 2004 Community Service Award at the June 28 Passing the Gavel meeting. The eleven past recipients of the award are William P. Whipple (1993), William P. Quarton (1994), Vincent Noce (1995), Jack Evans (1996), Abbott Lipsky (1997), Gary Streit (1998), Roby Kesler (1999), Percy Harris (2000), Madge Phillips (2001), Cheryle Mitvalsky (2002) and Henry Royer (2003). Selection criteria for the award include: Rotarian or non-Rotarian, contribution of numerous hours of public service, recognition by peers as an outstanding leader in the community and portrayal as a Rotary model in his or her life while serving above self. The award represents participation in community service over a broad spectrum of activities and for a sustained period of time. Norm Nielsen is retiring this year as President of Kirkwood Community College. He has been an Iowa educator for over four decades, beginning with teaching and coaching stints at Webster City High School. During his tenure as President, Kirkwood has grown to become the largest community college in Iowa and third largest institution of higher education in the State. Dr. Nielsen has served as a Board of Director member for Firstar Bank, now U. S. Bank. He was on the Board of Directors of St. Luke's Methodist Hospital from 1986 to 1996. He served as a Board member on the Iowa Health System Board for 10 years. He served many years on the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce Board and then also served on the Priority One Board, the economic arm of the Chamber of Commerce and was its Chair from 1996-1997. He has been a member of the Iowa City Area Development Board from 1998 to the present time. He is a member of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Advocacy Board at the University of Iowa and a past board member of United Way of East Central Iowa, Four Oaks and Junior Achievement. He has served the State of Iowa through appointments to the Iowa Economic Development Board and the Iowa Workforce Development Council. We are indeed lucky to have had Norm Nielsen and his incredible drive and talent in our community. He is an outstanding individual who so many of us call our friend. We recognize the unbelievable amount of time, wisdom and support our honoree has given to our community. His legacy will live long after his retirement as he takes up the next stage of his life in Bonita Springs, Florida. As the twelfth recipient of this award, Norm Nielsen exemplifies all of the qualities of leadership envisioned by the Community Service Award. In recognition of his "service above self" $1,000 will be contributed in his name to the Kirkwood Foundation. 2004 CLUB APPRECIATION AWARDS PRESENTED The Rotary Board of Directors created "Appreciation Awards" in 1999 to honor Non-Rotarian community leaders. The awards generally focus on a specific charitable activity or area of interest of the recipient to which the individual has made an extraordinary contribution. Cedar Rapids Rotary Director Dee Baird presented the first of the three awards approved for the 2003-2004 Rotary year to John McMurray, Boxing Coach of the Jane Boyd Boxing Club. In addition to a plaque for his service to the community, a contribution of $500 was made by Cedar Rapids Rotary, in John's name, to the Jane Boyd Community Center. The second Appreciation Award was presented by Cedar Rapids Rotary Director Lee Clancey to Shirley Cutchlow, Activities Director of the African-American Historical Museum & Cultural Center. Shirley also received a plaque and contributions of $250 to the African-American Museum and $250 to Mt. Zion Baptist Church were made in her name. Nancylee Ziese presented a third Appreciation Award to Darlene Schmidt, Director of the Community Health Free Clinic. Darlene received a plaque and a contribution of $500 was made by Cedar Rapids Rotary, in Darlene's name to the Community Health Free Clinic. JOHN MCMURRAY A Gazette headline in October of 2000 said it best, "Crazy Johnny preaches gospel of boxing." John McMurray has spent 28 years as the coach of the Jane Boyd Boxing Club, preaching the boxing life to boys and girls from the streets, youngsters who otherwise might be using their loud mouths and clenched fists to cause trouble. John works with kids three nights a week and most weekends and does not get paid for his services. His work takes place at the Jane Boyd House, a place that has helped him keep his life on the straight and narrow. His philosophy centers around boxing being a thinking man's game. He says, "What you use in the ring, you use in the outside world." One of those rules is to walk away from confrontation on the street. He has assisted many young people establish self-esteem, learn discipline and self-control. One of John's greatest achievements was taking Heather Curtis to the National Golden Gloves in Atlanta, Georgia in 2002. Heather took second place and then became ranked #1 in the United States and #4 in the world. Other notable boxers under John's supervision were Dwayne Downs, Nathan Vasquez and a host of others who ranked in the top ten nationwide. John has been named Coach of the Year five times. He has won a great many team championships and has received many community awards including the Children's Advocate Award, JC Penny's Golden Rule Award and the a Freedom Festival Tribute to Heroes Award. In John's spare time he works full-time at Quaker Oats. SHIRLEY M. CUTCHLOW Shirley Cutchlow is one of those rare people that most non-profit organizations would absolutely love to have. Her persistent and dedicated work on behalf of a number of different agencies has given our community more well-rounded and diverse opportunities. Shirley Cutchlow is a retired Day Care Instructor for the Linn County Developmental Day Care Center where she worked with some of our communities most needy little ones for over 25 years. She received her Early Childhood education from Kirkwood Community College and Iowa State University. Shirley was instrumental in assisting the African-American Heritage Foundation and Cultural Center of Iowa from its infancy right through to today where she is currently serving as Events Director. Her constant determination and cheerful enthusiasm helped make the Museum a reality over almost a decade of planning, grant writing and fundraising. Today the Museum is one of Iowa's most special destinations due in no small part to Shirley's work. In addition, Shirley has been an active, indispensable and lifetime member of and volunteer for the local NAACP. She is a 40-year member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she teaches Sunday School and is a member of the Senior Usher Board. She has been an active community volunteer for the school district, Linn County Health department, the City of Cedar Rapids, the Oakhill Jackson Neighborhood Association, voter registration, Jane Boyd Community House and a variety of political campaigns. DARLENE SCHMIDT How many of us can access medical or dental care because we have insurance? How many of us can do this without having to choose between health care or paying our electric bill? How many know that 1 in 6 Americans lack insurance coverage and only 50% of Iowa employers offer medical insurance? Darlene Schmidt understands that the health care crisis in this country is real. She understands that poverty in this country is real. She was one of five children growing up in a family with a father who was an unemployable alcoholic and a mother who earned 25 cents an hour as a waitress. She decided she had to get an education to assist her mom. She now heads the new Community Health Free Clinic which provides an annual equivalent of $3 million in medical care at no cost to the taxpayer. Patients no longer spend hours in a crowded hallway or experience a lack of privacy when they are being treated. They come from within 60 miles of Cedar Rapids and from 68 different zip codes. Darlene leads an orchestra of 400 doctors, dentists, nurses, social workers and other volunteers. Darlene is a visionary and the glue that makes the operation work. We thank Darlene for the commitment she has made to serve the uninsured and underinsured in our community. MONDAY, JULY 5, 2004 NO ROTARY IN OBSERVANCE OF THE INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND MONDAY, JULY 12, 2004 THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL DICK FERGUSON, PRESIDENT & CEO, AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING (ACT), IOWA CITY UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS July 19, 2004 George Weiner, M. D., President, Holden Cancer Center, University of Iowa. July 26, 2004 Tom Aller, Alliant Energy, Proposed Alliant Rate Increase. August 2, 2004 Steve Havlik, Cedar Rapids Fire Chief. August 9, 2004 Marcia Rogers and Mike Blouin Iowa's Economic Development Initiative for New Zealand. August 16, 2004 Dave Vaudt, Iowa Sate Auditor A look at the Iowa State Budget. August 23, 2004 To be announced August 30, 2004 David Oman and Nancy Quelhorst Iowa Environmental/Educational Project (formerly known as Iowa Child). THE 4,287th MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF CEDAR RAPIDS - 6/28/04 PASSING THE GAVEL Presiding: President 2003-2004 Chuck Peters and President 2004-2005 John Bickel. Award Presenters: Dee Baird, Lee Clancey and Nancylee Ziese. Greeters: George Baldwin and Dennis Wangeman. Badges: Bob Moorman. Attendance List: Tara Moorman. Invocation: Len Ranson. News: Tim Boyle (WMT-AM), Guests & Visiting Rotarians: Allen Witt. Music: Gary Criddle and Carma Lou Beck. ATTENDANCE REPORT TOTAL MEMBER COUNT - 352 (24 HONORARY) NUMBER USED FOR ATTENDANCE - 271 (EXCLUDES 81 HONORARY & EXEMPT MEMBERS) MEMBERS PRESENT - 171 (1 HONORARY, 22 EXEMPT) GUESTS PRESENT - 20 MAKE-UPS - 1 PERCENTAGE FOR THIS MEETING - 55.72% PERCENTAGE FOR JUNE 2004 - 60.76% PERCENTAGE FOR ROTARY YEAR 2003-2004 (48 Meet0ings) - 67.46% PERCENTAGE FOR ROTARY YEAR 2002-2003 - 67.21% PERCENTAGE FOR ROTARY YEAR 2001-2002 - 69.14% PERCENTAGE FOR ROTARY YEAR 2000-2001 - 67.66% PERCENTAGE FOR ROTARY YEAR 1999-2000 - 67.42% PERCENTAGE FOR ROTARY YEAR 1998-1999 - 66.16% MAKE-UPS - LOCAL CEDAR RAPIDS METRO NORTH, 06/03//04: No Report Received to Date. CEDAR RAPIDS METRO NORTH, 06/10//04: No Report Received to Date. CEDAR RAPIDS WEST KERNELS BASEBALL OUTING, 6/11/04: Larry Kudej. CEDAR RAPIDS DAYBREAK, 06/11/04: No Report Received to Date. CEDAR RAPIDS METRO NORTH, 06/17//04: No Report Received to Date CEDAR RAPIDS DAYBREAK, 06/18/04: George Brunscheen and Ted Townsend. MARION/EAST CEDAR RAPIDS, 06/22/04: Milt Dennis, Chris Dolan, Maxwell Grant, Debbie Green, Bill Lewellen, Howard Ohsman, Shannon Ramsey and Jim Weems. CEDAR RAPIDS WEST, 06/23/04: No Report Received to Date. CEDAR RAPIDS SUNRISE, 06/24//04: None. CEDAR RAPIDS METRO NORTH, 06/24//04: No Report Received to Date, CEDAR RAPIDS DAYBREAK, 06/25/04: No Report Received to Date. MAKE-UPS - OUT OF TOWN Dan Baldwin (Keokuk). ROTARIAN GUESTS David Hattery (Seattle), Yakubu Ayuba (Nigeria), Sue Carpenter and Sue Hahn (Daybreak) and Gary Bartlett, Kathy Kaiser, Ken Goldsmith and Martha Aldridge (West). GUESTS OF MEMBERS Darlene Schmidt, Jerry Ziese, Lee Schmidt (Ziese), Maryam Aci, Jummai Madeke and Ro Foege (Tom Moore), John McMurray (Baird), Shirley Cutchlow, Mallory Cutchlow and Therie Cutchlow (Clancey), Mark Roberts (Dows) and Steve Ropp (Hochstetler). 2004 PRIBYL JUNIOR BOYS GOLF TOURNAMENT The six area Rotary clubs will again sponsor the Rotary Pribyl Junior Boys Amateur Golf Tournament for boys who are students in the Cedar Rapids Community, College Community, Marion, Linn Mar Public and Cedar Rapids area Parochial School Districts. There is an Open Division for ages 15 to 17 and a Novice Division for ages 12 to 14. It is a four-day tournament beginning on August 2 with a qualifying round at Gardner Memorial Golf Course. Playing continues on August 3 at the Cedar Rapids Country Club, August 4 at Hunter's Ridge Golf Course and concludes on August 6 at Elmcrest Country Club. This year online registration is required of all participants. You may download the tournament brochure, register as a tournament participant or volunteer to be a helper by accessing the Pribyl web site at www.messenger.mercycare.org/rotarypribyl. The Pribyl web site can also be reached through the Links button located at www.rotaryclubofcedarrapids.org. There are several opportunities for Rotarians to volunteer to assist with the tournament. Volunteers will be needed to help with Registrar, Organizer, Starter, Ranger and Scorer duties. Registrar Duties: (1) Arrive at course at designated time (2) Receive/review player list (3) Verify each player is registered prior to play (4) Complete a registration card for any players who arrive to play the first day who are not pre-registered (5) Maintain a registration log (6) Verify that there is a score card with each players name (7) Provide score cars to the Organizer. Organizer Duties: (1) Arrive at the course at designated time (2) Receive a player list-with-tee times and score cards with names of players (3) Gather foursomes 10 minutes in advance of their tee time (4) Direct foursomes to the Starter. Starter Duties: (1) Arrive at the course at designated time (2) Receive a list of players and tee times (3) Review and be familiar with all tournament rules (4) Receive foursomes and score cards from Organizer (5) Review all tournament rules with each foursome (6) Announce each player to tee off in order (7) Issue score cards to opposing players in the foursome. Direct each player and scorekeeper to sign the scorecard prior to turning it in. Ranger Duties: (1) Arrive at the course at designated time (2) Secure golf cart (3) Secure two-way radio (4) Travel course to ensure foursomes keep pace (5) Direct slow foursomes to speed up play (6) Report any problems or rule issues to course professional. Scorer Duties: (1) Arrive at the course at designated time (2) Receive a list of players and tee times (3) Receive score cards from players as they complete each round. Ensure cards are signed by the player and the scorer (4) Add up strokes for each round (5) Enter Player scores on the Score Sheet (6) Turn Score Cards into Official Scorer (7) Enter scores on poster score sheets (8) Post Player Score Sheets in order of score. Members interested in volunteering to help can do so directly on the web site or can contact Mike Donohue who is our representative on the Pribyl Golf Tournament Committee. CHICAGO CENTENNIAL CONVENTION The 2005 Rotary International Annual Convention will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago from June 18-22, 2005. The Chicago Centennial Convention will begin on Saturday, 18 June 2005, one day earlier than usual, to accommodate the Rotary International Parade in the morning and Host Hospitality in the evening. Combined Convention Registration and RI Ticket Order forms will make it easy for you to plan your convention itinerary. To provide better customer service and to handle the projected demand for accommodations, the Hotel Reservation Form and the Group Block Housing Request Form are available at www.rotary.org/centennial/convention for download. You may also register online. Members wishing to attend the convention in Chicago should submit forms early to avoid unnecessary delays and to ensure hotel availability. The Registration and Housing Department experiences high volumes of activity upon opening and on and around deadline dates, so there may be lengthier turnaround times and communication delays during those periods. YOUR KIND OF TOWN "My kind of town, Chicago is my kind of town." Frank Sinatra What better place is there to Celebrate Rotary than in Chicago? In addition to being the birthplace of Rotary, Chicago is: * The birthplace of the blues, the skyscraper, deep-dish pizza, the zipper, Cracker Jack and roller skates. * A Mecca for sports fans, with seven professional teams, including the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox baseball teams, one of which will be playing at home during the RI convention. * A Shoppers paradise – from upscale boutiques and department stores along the Magnificent Mile of North Michigan Avenue, to colorful ethnic shops that line Chicago's neighborhood streets. * Home to some of the 20th century's most important architecture, including Louis Sullivan's Auditorium Building, Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, Ludwig Miles van der Rohe's Crown Hall and buildings designed by Rotary Foundation alumnus Helmut Jahn and other leading contemporary architects. * "Urbs in Horto" (City in a Garden), with 30 miles of lakefront beaches, parks and golf courses - all open to the public. * A city of neighborhoods, each one with its own ethnic flavor and tempo; African-American, Chinese, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Korean, Mexican, Polish, Ukrainian and more. To visit one of these colorful areas, sigh up for neighborhood tours. * A town that stays up late with live music of every type, theater, dancing and late night restaurants. * Holder of the following titles; world's largest illuminated fountain (Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park), world's busiest futures exchange (Board of Trade), world's largest collection of Impressionist painting outside of Paris (Art Institute of Chicago). * Sister city to 22 other cities worldwide. YOUNG MEMBER INITIATIVE A survey taken of Downtown Rotary members in September 2001 showed that 61% of survey respondents believed the club lacks representation from younger community leaders. This lack of younger leaders was suggested as one of the things that ought to change. The club currently has only 24 members under the age of 40 and only three of those members are under the age of 30. In discussion concerning the survey it was recognized that one factor that negatively impacts the recruitment of younger members is the relatively stringent membership qualification guidelines imposed on all candidates being proposed for membership in the club. Specifically, many younger candidates cannot meet the guidelines that applicants must be in a policymaking position with their employer (generally one of the top three policymakers) and also must have extensive community leadership and involvement prior to admission to Rotary. In order to recruit outstanding younger candidates, the Membership Development Committee, under Chair Dan Baldwin, recommended, and the board has approved, a Young Member Initiative where membership requirements could deviate from traditional membership guidelines. The criteria for new members recruited in the Young Member category will include the stipulations that: (1) They must be 35 years of age or younger. (2) Potential candidates must be in a growth position in their company, but will not need to be one of the top three policymakers. (3) Being a graduate of the Leadership for Five Seasons Program is preferred, but significant community involvement, as contemplated under the current guidelines, will also be an acceptable alternative. Members wishing to propose a new member under this initiative should complete a Young Member Membership Proposal Form that addresses these specific criteria. The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids e-mail address is: crrotary@mchsi.com AND We continue to invite you to visit our Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids Web Site. CLUB WEB SITE INSTRUCTIONS 1. Open your Internet browser (AOL, Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, etc.). 2. Key in the site address (www.rotaryclubofcedarrapids.org). To Access the Member's Area of the Web Site 3. In the field entitled, "User" key in your full e-mail address. (Example: lhchristy@aol.com). 4. In the field entitled, "Password" key in the club password: crr0tary. The "o" in Rotary is the number "zero" key (0). 5. Most computers will ask if you would like your password saved. If this computer is your primary computer, you will want to select "yes". This will save you from having to type in the user name and password each time you visit. 6. Click the "Go button to proceed to the password-protected areas of the site. 7. If you cannot access the site call Larry Christy (363-6301) or E-mail (Rcofcedar@aol.com). ROTARY CLUB OF CEDAR RAPIDS OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS JULY 1, 2003 TO JUNE 30, 2004 President John M. Bickel 365-9461 President-Elect Larry J. Helling 862-0919 Past President Charles M. Peters 368-8878 Director Lee R. Clancey 378-1807 Director Deanndrea L. Baird 398-5886 Director George H. Brunscheen 363-1151 Director Jonathan T. Dusek 364-6533 Director Ann M. Lipsky 362-2181 Director Steven M. Shriver 364-2477 Director Robert C. Vancura 447-6200 Secretary/Treas. Larry H. Christy 363-6301 Sergeant-at-Arms George K. Baldwin 362-4093 |
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