Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages H3795-H3796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak
[[Page H3796]]
about an organization that is near and dear to my heart: the Lions
Clubs International.
I am a member of my hometown organization, the Howard Area Lions
Club. The Howard Area Lions Club has consistently earned the
recognition as the largest Lions Club in Pennsylvania.
There are probably many factors that have led them to this, but none
more significant than their commitment to the Lions Club motto, ``We
Serve.''
The members of my club served as the chartering organization for the
Howard Boy Scout Troop 353; and, in the past, I was proud to serve as
Scoutmaster of that unit.
Simply put, service is of the utmost importance to the Lions. The
clubs are places where individuals can join together to give their
valuable time and effort to improving their communities and the world.
Where there is a need, there is a Lion. There are 1.4 million Lions
around the world, 47,000 Lions Clubs in more than 200 countries. For
more than 100 years, Lions have been serving humanity.
The idea of the Lions Club began in 1917. A 38-year-old Chicago
business leader named Melvin Jones told members of his local business
club that they should reach beyond business issues and address the
betterment of their communities and the world. They agreed.
Three years later, Lions Clubs became an international organization.
Melvin Jones inspired generations of people to become civic-minded
individuals, dedicated to using their talents and ambitions to improve
their communities without financial reward.
Melvin Jones had a personal code: ``You can't get very far until you
start doing something for somebody else.''
Madam Speaker, service to others is what makes the Lions Clubs
International such a powerful force for good in the world.
There are nearly 70 Members of Congress who are involved in service
organizations, and that is why I am proud to be working with my
colleague Congressman Jimmy Panetta to establish the Congressional
Service Organization Caucus. We plan to launch the caucus soon.
It will support the many operations that are dedicated to giving back
to their communities. I encourage my colleagues to join because there
are few gifts greater than the gift of time and service to others.
Madam Speaker, Lions Clubs International is on Capitol Hill today to
raise awareness about how helpful service organizations are to
communities across the Nation.
I am grateful that Lions Clubs around the globe serve millions
annually, and I am so proud to be a member of an organization that not
only lives up to its remarkable ideals but exceeds them time and time
again.
____________________