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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Lions Clubs International is celebrating the 100th |
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anniversary of its founding in 2017, and this occasion provides an |
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ideal opportunity to honor the Deer Park Lions Club for its good |
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works; and |
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WHEREAS, Established in 1917 by Melvin Jones as the |
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Association of Lions Clubs, the community service organization held |
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its first national convention that year in Dallas, with 12 of the 23 |
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participating clubs hailing from Texas; the Lions adopted a prime |
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mission a decade later when Helen Keller urged them to become |
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"Knights of the Blind"; through the years, the organization has |
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undertaken numerous initiatives benefiting the visually impaired |
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while also carrying out many other humanitarian efforts; and |
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WHEREAS, The Lions of Texas have dedicated themselves to |
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supporting such national programs as Sight for Kids, which has |
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provided nearly 20 million screenings, and SightFirst, which raises |
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funds for cataract operations and for programs to fight the other |
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major causes of blindness; in addition, Texas Lions have introduced |
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a number of effective initiatives, among them Journey for Sight and |
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the Juvenile Diabetes Program; the Midland Lions became the first |
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regional recycling center for collecting glasses to send abroad to |
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those in need, and the Lions of Texas have formed five eye banks to |
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assist in the collection and distribution of corneas for |
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transplantation and medical research; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 1949, the Texas Lions Camp has welcomed |
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approximately 70,000 children with physical disabilities and |
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diabetes, providing horseback riding, swimming, campouts, and |
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other outdoor activities; the Lions of Texas also support disaster |
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relief, antidrug campaigns, and vaccination programs; and |
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WHEREAS, Many Texas Lions have served in key leadership roles |
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with the parent organization, which today has 1.4 million members |
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in over 200 locations around the world; Lions Clubs International |
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was named the top nongovernmental agency in the world by the United |
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Nations in 2012; and |
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WHEREAS, Embodying the motto "We Serve," which has guided |
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Lions Clubs International for more than four decades, the members |
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of the Deer Park Lions Club have made a lasting, positive impact in |
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their community and beyond, and they are truly deserving of special |
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recognition in this centennial year; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the Deer Park Lions Club on the occasion of |
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the 100th anniversary of the founding of Lions Clubs International |
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and extend to its members sincere best wishes for continued success |
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in their important endeavors; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Deer Park Lions Club as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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Cain |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2629 was adopted by the House on May |
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28, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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