IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 679 

Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning on September 

10, 2023, as ‘‘Celebrate Community Week’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania (for himself, Mr. PANETTA, Mr. 

FITZPATRICK, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania, Mr. 

GOTTHEIMER, and Ms. CRAIG) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning 

on September 10, 2023, as ‘‘Celebrate Community Week’’. 

Whereas ‘‘Celebrate Community’’ is a weeklong initiative to 

promote joint community service among members of 

Lions Clubs International, Rotary International, Kiwanis 

International, and Optimist International, and the purpose is to elevate the collective social impact of the organizations and promote a spirit of worldwide volunteer collaboration; 

Whereas, from September 10 through September 16, thousands of local area Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist International, and Rotary clubs will take part in service to address the needs of their communities during their second 

annual Celebrate Community initiative; 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
2 

•HRES 679 IH 

Whereas Kiwanis clubs change children’s lives by conducting 

service projects in their local communities focused on 

health and nutrition, education and literacy, and youth 

development; 

Whereas Kiwanis clubs conduct more than 152,000 service 

projects globally and raise nearly $133,000,000 annually; 

Whereas Lions clubs encourage service-minded individuals to 

serve their communities without personal financial reward; 

Whereas, since 1917, Lions 1,400,000 members have 

strengthened local communities through hands-on service 

and humanitarian projects, focused on the environment 

and addressing childhood cancer, hunger, diabetes, vision, 

and other pressing humanitarian needs presenting some 

of the biggest challenges facing humanity; 

Whereas, carrying the motto ‘‘Bringing Out the Best in 

Youth, in our Communities, and in Ourselves’’, Optimist 

International clubs conduct positive service projects that 

reach more than 6,000,000 young people each year; 

Whereas Optimist International clubs conduct 65,000 community service projects each year, spending $78,000,000 

in their communities and impacting over 6,000,000 

youth; 

Whereas Rotary’s 1,400,000 members believe we have a 

shared responsibility to take action on the world’s most 

persistent issues with sustainable, community-based solutions; and 

Whereas 46,000 Rotary clubs invest hundreds of millions of 

dollars and countless volunteer hours to provide clean 

water and sanitation, support education, prevent and 

treat disease, save mothers and children, grow local 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
3 

•HRES 679 IH 

economies, promote peace, protect the environment, and 

end polio worldwide: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of Celebrate Com3 munity Week; 

4 (2) recognizes Kiwanis International, Lions 

5 Clubs International, Optimist International, and Ro6 tary International for promoting community service 

7 and humanitarian assistance; 

8 (3) encourages Kiwanis International, Lions 

9 Clubs International, Optimist International, and Ro10 tary International to continue to emphasize the val11 ues of community service and improving the commu12 nity for all individuals, especially our youth; 

13 (4) applauds Kiwanis International, Lions 

14 Clubs International, Optimist International, and Ro15 tary International for instilling in young people the 

16 value of community service; and 

17 (5) appreciates Kiwanis International, Lions 

18 Clubs International, Optimist International, and Ro19 tary International for the work of their members to 

20 continue to strengthen our communities through 

21 service. 

Æ 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB