[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 30 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E436-E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE SPRINGFIELD LIONS CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 1997

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great joy to extend my 
congratulations to the Springfield Lions Club, one of the most 
prestigious organizations in my district, who will celebrate their 50th 
anniversary on March 29, 1997. With this in mind, I take this 
opportunity to enter the history of the club into the Congressional 
Record.
  In the Spring of 1947 a member of the Springfield Lions Club invited 
a group of men from Sixteen Acres to a meeting in the old brick 
schoolhouse on the corner of Parker St. and Old Acre Rd. At the meeting 
he described the purpose of a Lions Club and what being a member would 
entail. Fifty-three men signed up that day and a Lions Club was formed 
in Sixteen Acres.
  The Sixteen Acres Lions Club was organized April 25, 1947 and was 
chartered June 18th. Charter Night was held at Belli's with many 
members from other Lions Clubs in attendance.
  Meetings were held for a short time in the schoolhouse with a caterer 
providing the meals. The meetings were later held for long periods in 
Belli's and Foster Memorial Church and for brief periods at various 
area restaurants. While meeting in the original Foster Church building 
the members meals were prepared by their wives at home and then brought 
to the meeting. Meetings are not held at Church in the Acres.
  When the Club was formed a public dump existed where Duggan Jr. High 
now stands. Many people apparently found it more convenient to dump 
their rubbish at the side of the road. Under pressure from the Lions 
Club they had the rubbish removed.
  In the 1950's the club purchased a motion picture projector and 
screen and for several years movies were shown on Saturday afternoons 
in an upstairs room of the old schoolhouse. the purpose was to give the 
younger children a place to go during the winter months. A charge of 
ten cents was made to help defray the cost of the film. It should be 
noted, however, that no child was turned away due to lack of a dime.
  The Lions Orthoptic Clinic was originated in 1951 by the late Russell 
Koch, a past president of the Sixteen Acres Lions Club, who, with the 
approval of the club, enlisted the aid of other clubs in the district 
to get it organized. The clinic offers treatment of eye problems which 
have been referred to local ophthalmologists. A charge is made 
according to the patients ability to pay.
  A sport program was organized under the direction of Fred Hoarle. He 
was successful in developing a number of teams and getting area men to 
coach them. The program was expanded to include soccer, softball, and 
basketball as well as the baseball teams. For several years the club 
held a soccer tournament

[[Page E437]]

on Memorial Day weekend attended by soccer teams from as far away as 
Virginia.
  For 17 years the club has given food baskets to families at Christmas 
time. A week's food supply plus small toys for children are included in 
these baskets. For the past several years money for this has been 
raised by selling raffle tickets for a gift certificate for food at a 
local market. It has been extremely successful and appreciated venture.
  The club has also sponsored glaucoma and diabetes testing clinics, 
paid for eye examinations and eye glasses for needy families and 
supported eye research, emergency sight and hearing fund, LCIF and 
various other projects. It has sponsored community events like the 
Fourth of July and Halloween parades and parties, Easter egg hunts, 
pancakes and spaghetti suppers, tag sales, dances, light bulb sales and 
many other house to house sales.
  In 1986 the club embarked on a new fund-raising project. After many 
years of work by many members, L'il Toot was completed. L'il Toot is a 
locomotive train with two passenger cars which can be rented out to 
provide rides for children at fairs and carnivals. To date success 
seems assured.
  The Sixteen Acres Lions Club is proud to have four of its members 
elected district governor. Robert Scott, Fred Hoarle, John Ingalls and 
Richard Leary have each served as a district governor and are held in 
high esteem by their associates.
  The success of many projects was due to the dedication and hard work 
of its members.
  I wish to commend the Springfield Lions Club for their vital role in 
the Springfield area. The achievements of these men are a tremendous 
source of pride for not only the city of Springfield but the entire 
Second Congressional District. I am honored to represent such 
outstanding individuals and I join with the citizens of the Second 
Congressional District in offering a most heartfelt congratulations.

                          ____________________