TITLE: Recognizing the Lions of Texas on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Lions Clubs International.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the Lions of Texas on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Lions Clubs International.

FULL TEXT:
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.