[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 80 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               POCONO LIONS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2000

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the Pocono Lions 
Club in Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania. The Lions are celebrating their 
50th anniversary at a dinner on June 24, and their record of service is 
truly deserving of honor and recognition by the House of 
Representatives.
  In the fall of 1949, a group of Pocono-area men met at Johnny's Inn 
in Pocono Summit to discuss the possibility of forming a Lions Club 
dedicated to serving some of the needs of the community. Bill Lewis and 
John Desanto, who became the Pocono club's first president, were the 
original group leaders. Bill Lewis is the lone surviving charter member 
and remains very active in the Lion's activities to this day.
  The Pocono Lions are a group of community-minded people who pool 
their talents in behalf of local, national and international needs. 
Their members are mostly retired businesspeople who enjoy the social 
aspects of the club while also returning something to the community 
that has been home to them and their families for many years.
  Their largest fundraiser is their annual auction, held on the fourth 
Saturday in August, although they hold several other events throughout 
the year to contribute to the community. They like to say that they 
make money and then give it away. Some of their recent donations 
include $3,500 to the Pocono Regional Police, $5,000 in scholarships 
for local high school students and $500 to the Salvation Army for its 
building fund.
  The Pocono Lions will be inducting four new members at their 50th 
Anniversary Charter Night, who will be joining the current membership 
of about 45 in their active fulfillment of the Lions motto: ``We 
Serve.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call to the attention of the House of 
Representatives the fine work that the Pocono Lions do for their 
community, the nation and the world, and I send my best wishes on the 
occasion of their 50th anniversary.

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