[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUBS

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                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 24, 2002

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the International Association of Lions Clubs who will observe May 30th 
as Lions Youth Appreciation Day. Since 1917, Lions have served the 
world's population through hard work and commitment making a difference 
in the lives of people everywhere. With 1.4 million members serving in 
more than 44,600 clubs in 188 countries and geographical areas, Lions 
are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually 
impaired. More than 139,000 of these members are young people between 
the ages of 12 and 28, and I congratulate these youth for their 
commitment to others.
  Lions Club International was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1917 and 
is the world's largest service club organization. Since that time, 
their Code of Ethics has guided the members in their quests to create 
and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world, 
promoting a world of compassion and tolerance. The Lions' International 
slogan is ``Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety (LIONS).'' With 
over 15 Lions clubs in my district, the Youth Lions aim to provide 
young people of the world with opportunities for achievement, learning, 
and service, individually and collectively, through sponsorship of 
activities identified as best practices in the field of youth 
development. Evolving from the founding Lions' steadfast dedication to 
the blind and visually impaired, the Youth Lions have devoted their 
energy to a wide variety of philanthropic causes.
  The Lions Club of Jackson, Platte, Clay and Cass Counties in Missouri 
are sponsoring a Youth Appreciation Night on May 30th, with special 
guest, Lions International President J. Frank Moore. His leadership 
theme, ``Light the Path'' focuses on implementation of several youth 
programs. Among the programs that have been particularly successful 
include: Leos and the Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Leos 
are young men and women of good character, ages 12 to 28, who are 
dedicated to making a difference in their communities. The peace poster 
contest was created in 1988 to give young people an opportunity to 
express their feelings and desire for peace. Since then, more than two 
million children from approximately 65 countries have participated in 
the annual contest.
  The activities the youth Lions have taken part in deserve to be 
recognized. Cutting across all national, racial and cultural 
boundaries, Youth Lions activities have included work with the visually 
impaired, programs including drug education and prevention, diabetes 
detection and research, and work for international cooperation and 
understanding.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in saying ``Congratulations and 
Thank you'' to the International Association of Lions Clubs on Lions 
Youth Appreciation Day. May 30th is the perfect time to commemorate 
this wonderful organization for its commitment and dedication to making 
the community and world a better place through activism and service.




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