PRINTER'S NO. 1302
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
224
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY KORTZ, REESE, DiGIROLAMO, ROZZI, BAKER, CORBIN,
HENNESSEY, DUSH, SONNEY, RYAN, PICKETT, MACKENZIE,
SCHLOSSBERG, KAUFFMAN, LONGIETTI, McNEILL, MURT, SAYLOR,
WATSON, BENNINGHOFF, MARSHALL, GODSHALL, TOEPEL, O'NEILL,
MILLARD, MENTZER, KNOWLES, R. BROWN, D. COSTA, NEILSON,
BIZZARRO, BOBACK, READSHAW, GERGELY, A. HARRIS, CALTAGIRONE,
WARD, SANKEY, GROVE, DEASY, MARSICO, DeLUCA, GABLER, FREEMAN
AND GILLEN, APRIL 10, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 10, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International.
WHEREAS, Melvin Jones is credited with being the founder of
Lions Clubs International; and
WHEREAS, 100 years ago, Mr. Jones' vision became a reality,
and a movement began to improve the lives of vulnerable people
around the world; and
WHEREAS, At a meeting in Chicago in June 1917, Mr. Jones and
fellow business leaders started the "Association of Lions
Clubs"; and
WHEREAS, In 1920, a Lions Club charter opened in Windsor,
Canada, and the organization became officially known as Lions
Clubs International; and
WHEREAS, There are currently more than 46,000 local Lions
Clubs in approximately 210 countries; and
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WHEREAS, Lions Clubs International is the world's largest
service organization, whose official motto is "We Serve"; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Lions Clubs International has worked
to provide vision screening service, guide dog sponsorships and
support for pediatric eye care centers; and
WHEREAS, In 1930, Lion George Bonham painted a cane white
with a red band to aid the visually impaired; and
WHEREAS, Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf and who became
an advocate for people with disabilities, attended a Lions Clubs
International convention in 1925 and challenged the organization
to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against
darkness"; and
WHEREAS, Lions Clubs International accepted Ms. Keller's
challenge, and since then has been widely known for its service
to the blind and visually impaired; and
WHEREAS, The organization later declared June 1 as "Helen
Keller Day," which is recognized annually to promote sight-
related programs and services; and
WHEREAS, Lions Clubs International has a connection to this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, In 1939, Lion Carl Edwin Stotz of Williamsport,
Pennsylvania, appealed to local Lions Clubs and other community
organizations for funding to start a baseball program for
children; and
WHEREAS, In June 1939, the first Little League game was
played in Williamsport, and is known as the Little League
capital of the world; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, Lions Clubs International began
implementing Leo Clubs that encourage youth to serve their
communities; and
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WHEREAS, The Lions Clubs International Foundation has given
more than $826 million in grants to support humanitarian
efforts; and
WHEREAS, Lions Clubs International continues to be guided by
the motto of Melvin Jones, "You can't get very far until you
start doing something for somebody else"; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge the
services and achievements of Lions Clubs International; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International.
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