H.R. No. 718
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Lions Clubs International is celebrating the 100th
anniversary of its founding in 2017, and this occasion provides an
ideal opportunity to honor the Lions of Texas for their good works;
and
WHEREAS, Established in 1917 by Melvin Jones as the
Association of Lions Clubs, the community service organization held
its first national convention that year in Dallas, with 12 of the 23
participating clubs hailing from Texas; the Lions adopted a prime
mission a decade later when Helen Keller urged them to become
"Knights of the Blind"; through the years, the organization has
undertaken numerous initiatives benefiting the visually impaired
while also carrying out many other humanitarian efforts; and
WHEREAS, The Lions of Texas have dedicated themselves to
supporting such national programs as Sight for Kids, which has
provided nearly 20 million screenings, and SightFirst, which raises
funds for cataract operations and for programs to fight the other
major causes of blindness; in addition, Texas Lions have introduced
a number of effective initiatives, among them Journey for Sight and
the Juvenile Diabetes Program; the Midland Lions became the first
regional recycling center for collecting glasses to send abroad to
those in need, and the Lions of Texas have formed five eye banks to
assist in the collection and distribution of corneas for
transplantation and medical research; and
WHEREAS, Since 1949, the Texas Lions Camp has welcomed
approximately 70,000 children with physical disabilities and
diabetes, providing horseback riding, swimming, campouts, and
other outdoor activities; the Lions of Texas also support disaster
relief, anti-drug campaigns, and vaccination programs; and
WHEREAS, Many Texas Lions have served in key leadership roles
with the parent organization, which today has 1.4 million members
in over 200 locations around the world; Lions Clubs International
was named the top nongovernmental agency in the world by the United
Nations in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Embodying the motto "We Serve," which has guided
Lions Clubs International for more than four decades, the members
of the Lions of Texas have made a lasting, positive impact across
the state and beyond, and they are truly deserving of special
recognition in this centennial year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby honor the Lions of Texas on the occasion of the
100th anniversary of the founding of Lions Clubs International and
extend to its members sincere best wishes for continued success in
their important endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Lions of Texas as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.
Capriglione
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 718 was adopted by the House on March
16, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House