[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 111 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CK & L OF I

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 2002

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the (Catholic Knights and 
Ladies of Illinois) CK & L of I in Swansea, Illinois.
  Locally, the CK & L of I organization was started some 40 years ago 
by Emil Wottowa, who served as the organization's President. His son, 
Ed served as Vice President of the organization, which served the needs 
of the Catholic community in our area.
  The CK & L of I is a fraternal organization based upon the tenants of 
the organization of Catholic Fraternal Life. The Knights of Columbus is 
a Catholic, family, fraternal service organization. Their 1.6 million 
members and families are dedicated to the ideals of charity, unity, 
fraternity and patriotism. They work to benefit their communities, 
their church and their fellowman. In the past ten years alone, the 
Knights have worked effectively on programs to benefit countless others 
in need, donating more than $972 million and providing 421 million 
hours of volunteer service.
  The members of the Catholic family respond person to person in times 
of need. Members devote thousands of hours annually to fund-raising and 
community service programs to improve the quality of life for others. 
They give their time and talents and ask nothing in return. That is 
what fraternalism is about.
  Volunteer efforts and council members are the heart of the 
organization. With the assistance of volunteer officers, members carry 
out numerous social, civic, benevolent, patriotic and religious 
activities throughout the year. They provide support, guidance and 
financial assistance to help members address local needs and their 
social interests. They support teen centers, blood banks and the 
Special Olympics, as well as women's shelter and child abuse prevention 
programs.
  The CK & L of I was started locally by Mr. Wottowa who wanted to 
secure a place in the country where members could enjoy themselves. 
They started in the old Senior Center located at 116 West A Street in 
Belleville in 1930 and as they searched for a place for their members, 
they found the property that they needed at the old Dr. Walton Farm in 
the Fairview Hts/Swansea area along Rt. 159. Dr. Walton was an avid 
outdoorsman, as well as a horse enthusiast so there was plenty of 
undeveloped land available for members and their families to enjoy.
  Their first meeting was held on the grounds of the old farm, where 
several farmhouses were converted for use by the organization. As the 
complex developed over time, the organization hosted Boy Scout troops 
from throughout the region, on overnight campouts to learn about the 
wetland areas and other open space. In fact, the organization works 
with St. Clair County, Illinois by utilizing its lake and retention 
areas as a holding pond for area storm water.
  The complex today consists of 2 ball diamonds, an auditorium and 
private clubrooms. The CK & L of I plays host to many weddings, 
meetings and receptions. Through their charitable work, they offer 
rent-free space to Althoff High School, the Fraternal Order of the 
Eagles, St. Henry's Catholic church, the Belleville Exchange Club, the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Swansea Chamber of Commerce, Senior 
citizen meetings, the Camelot Auction, many fundraisers and the annual 
Blood drive.
  Today the CK & L of I boasts over 1,800 members, 900 of which are the 
men of the organization and 950 are women. The men meet the first 
Monday of the month while the ladies meet on the second Monday.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 40th 
Anniversary of the CK & L of I organization and wish the best to all of 
its members both past, present and in the future.

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