SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4
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
approximately70,000childrenwithphysicaldisabilitiesand
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 Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby honor the Lions of Texas on the occasion of
the 100th anniversary of the founding of Lions Clubs International
and extend to the members sincere best wishes for continued
success in their important endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
Lions of Texas as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Burton
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 1, 2017.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate