Most year-end charitable givers can't hold a candle to the generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The charitable foundation headed by Gates' father has made a $100 million challenge grant to the Rotary Foundation's campaign to help end polio in the world.
Those too young to remember the scourge of polio may have trouble comprehending the scope of the disease. Before Rotary Internation's eradication effort began in 1988, about 1,000 children a day were paralyzed by the disease.
Today, according to Rotary president Wilfrid Wilkinson, there are only four countries -- Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan -- that are still polio-endemic. Instead of 1,000 cases a day, the disease now strikes about 1,000 a year.
The foundation has raised about $600 million to support polio eradication efforts in 122 countries. The effort is at a critical juncture. Mass immunization efforts through the World Health Organization and UNICEF will continue.
Opinion
The end is in sight
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Oklahoma ranks 33rd in financial stability
Compared to much of the nation, Oklahoma has so far weathered the recession better than most states. Our home values have not experienced the rapid increases — and now decreases — of other areas. Employment fell but at about half the rate ...
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Grandparents have hard task
The trend isn’t new, but the number of Oklahoma grandparents raising grandchildren is growing, not declining, especially with the rocky economy since 2008. Tulsa World writer Cary Aspinwall used U.S. Census data to illustrate how many ...
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State legislative priorities
There was a time when the Oklahoma state House Democrats needed the largest room at the Capitol to hold their legislative caucuses. Not any more. House Republicans outnumber Democrats 69 to 31, with one seat empty until later this month....
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Climate change remains in the cards
Nothing about Earth’s history is static or unchanging. That’s particularly true of climate, and thereon hangs more than one interesting tale, including recent news of a scientific advance in understanding how past climate has changed....
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Salary raise is not likely
It may be a while before Oklahoma’s statewide elected officials, judges and district attorneys can expect a salary increase....
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Pipeline not really that great
Editor, The Transcript: This responds to the letter from Bruce Kessler, which was printed in The Norman Transcript on Monday, Jan. 30. The letter makes plain that Bruce Kessler opposes President Barack Obama’s decision to block the ...
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Smoking, obesity push health rank to No. 48
Dr. Terry Cline, Oklahoma’s commissioner of Health and secretary of Health and Human Services, has been making the rounds of Oklahoma newspaper editorial boards. He outlines a legislative agenda that gives cities and towns control over ...
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Say no to higher weights on tractor trailer rigs
Long-distance haulers are turning to freight trains for more efficient methods to move goods across country. High fuel costs, turnpike tolls and driver shortages have forced companies to look for alternative ways to transport products....
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It’s sure been a warm winter
That famous newspaperman and humorist Will Rogers is often quoted as saying — and we paraphrase here — if you don’t like the weather, stay around for a few minutes and it will change....
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Not economic suicide for all
Editor, The Transcript: The commentary “Avoiding a catastrophic war with Iran” published in the Norman Transcript on Jan. 21 made a worrisome observation: “Another war would destroy America’s painful recovery from the indebtedness of two ...
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Oklahoma ranks 33rd in financial stability
