[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO THE NASHUA LIONS CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES F. BASS

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 1998

  Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Nashua Lions Club 
on their 75th anniversary.
  Eighty-one years ago, insurance executive Melvin Jones and his fellow 
Chicago businessmen formed the Lions International. The group was 
created to focus on humanitarian acts of service.
  Several years later, after Hellen Keller challenged the Lions to 
become her ``Knights of the Blind,'' William Hillman, Jr., and former 
Mayor Alvin Lucier established the Nashua Lions Club. Since being 
chartered in 1923, the Nashua Lions have not only heeded Hellen 
Keller's call, but have lived up to their motto ``We Serve'' by making 
Nashua a better community and improving the lives of those who live 
there.
  After 75 years of hard work and selfless devotion, the Nashua Lions 
Club have raised and returned over $750,000 to their community. But the 
true measure of their impact on Nashua is not in the dollars they have 
raised, but in the lives they have touched.
  Most notably, the Nashua Lions have dedicated substantial time and 
resources to building projects designed to assist handicapped 
individuals. Under the leadership of former Mayor Mario J. Vagge, the 
Nashua Lions built the ``Friendship Club'' for the handicapped, and 
under the direction of past President Rich Nadeau, they constructed 
``Melanie's Room'' for a handicapped young girl.
  Responding to Hellen Keller's challenge 77 years ago, the Nashua 
Lions have also worked closely with the Nashua school nurses to provide 
free eye exams and eye glasses to needy area students. They have spent 
over $30,000 in the last 25 years to buy new eye screening machines for 
Nashua schools.
  Aside from their numerous community and charity efforts, the Nashua 
Lions have also provided leadership to the entire Lions International 
organization. During their 75-year history, the Nashua Lions proudly 
have produced two District 44-H Governors, Joseph J. Bielawski from 
1983 to 1984, and Edward Lecius this year for their diamond jubilee.
  Mr. Speaker, the Nashua Lions exemplify America's charitable spirit. 
Their leadership, compassion, and hard work have helped make the Gate 
City a wonderful place to live. I rise to express my thanks and 
congratulations for 75 years of caring and devoted service.

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