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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud members of Lions Clubs International are |
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celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2017, and this milestone |
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presents a welcome opportunity to reflect on the rich history of |
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this outstanding service organization; and |
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WHEREAS, Founded by Melvin Jones, the International |
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Association of Lions Clubs held its first convention in October |
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1917 at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas; of the original 23 clubs, 12 |
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were formed in the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, A watershed moment occurred in 1927 when Helen |
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Keller addressed the 10th convention of Lions Clubs International |
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and urged attendees to become "Knights of the Blind"; in the years |
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since, members have enthusiastically accepted her challenge, |
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providing assistance to millions of people who suffer from |
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blindness or limited vision through a wide variety of programs; the |
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Lions Clubs International Foundation was created in 1968, and its |
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Sight for Kids program has screened nearly 20 million children, |
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while the SightFirst effort has raised approximately $500,000 for |
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cataract operations; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1970, Lions Clubs International adopted the motto |
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"We Serve," and members have demonstrated their commitment to that |
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maxim through myriad service efforts of benefit to people around |
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the globe; the One Shot, One Life Lions Measles Initiative provided |
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vaccines to more than 150 million children in 2012, and through |
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fund-matching partnerships with the Bill and Melinda Gates |
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Foundation and other groups, the program has saved millions of |
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lives and raised tens of millions of dollars; in South Africa, fewer |
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than 50 clubs consisting of only 1,250 members feed 60,000 people |
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every day; moreover, Lions have collected over $1 billion in |
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donations since 1972; and |
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WHEREAS, The Lions Clubs of Texas have originated many of |
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their own service projects, including the Juvenile Diabetes |
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Program, the Journey for Sight fund-raising event, and the Texas |
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Lions Foundation, a disaster relief fund; the Midland Lions Clubs |
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pioneered the practice of sending recycled eyeglasses to people in |
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need overseas, and that program has been adopted by Lions groups |
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around the country; in Texas alone, Lions recycling centers assist |
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in the collection, cataloging, and distribution of 1.5 million |
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pairs of glasses each year; the organization has established five |
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eye banks across the state to help the medical community recover and |
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distribute eye tissue for transplants and research; in addition, |
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the Texas Lions Camp has given approximately 70,000 children with |
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diabetes or disabilities the chance to spend a week camping, |
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horseback riding, and swimming, at no cost to their families; a |
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successful antidrug program was created through the efforts of the |
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Texas Lions, especially those of retired U.S. Air Force brigadier |
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general and Vietnam War POW Robbie Risner; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas Lions are especially proud of the two living |
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past international presidents who hail from the Lone Star State, |
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Jimmy Ross of Quitaque and Everett J. Grindstaff of Ballinger; |
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Lions Clubs International has further benefited from the skilled |
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guidance of such exemplary leaders as its present director, Sam |
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Lindsey, and past international directors Don Buckalew, Ray |
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Hughston, Mike Butler, Marshall Cooper, Connie De La Garza, Beverly |
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Stebbins, and Joe Al Picone; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, the Lions organization has been |
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honored by a number of luminaries, including Lion and former |
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President Jimmy Carter, who nominated the club for the Nobel Peace |
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Prize in 2008; the group has also won praise from President Ronald |
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Reagan, who was an honorary Lion, as well as President Anwar Sadat |
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of Egypt, Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel, and Pope John |
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Paul II, among many others; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Lions Clubs International is one of the |
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largest, most respected, and most effective service organizations |
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in the world, with 1.4 million members in 209 locations, and it is a |
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privilege to join in recognizing its century of service to those in |
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need; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs |
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International and extend to its members sincere best wishes for |
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continued success with their important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Lions Clubs International as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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Darby |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 902 was adopted by the House on March |
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23, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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