[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1813]
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, September 16, 2003

  Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Nashua Lions Club 
in recognition of their 80th anniversary on September 22 of this year.
  Eighty-six years ago, insurance executive Melvin Jones and his fellow 
business associates gathered and formed Lions International. 
Originally, the Lions International was formed to perform humanitarian 
service. In 1925, Helen Keller spoke at one of their conventions where 
she challenged Lions International to become her ``Knights of the Blind 
in the crusade against darkness.'' From this time, Lions clubs have 
been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired.
  In the fall of 1923, a similar group of Nashua business leaders 
gathered at the old YMCA and were chartered as the Nashua Lions Club. 
The men and women of the Nashua Lions have since heeded the call of 
Helen Keller and have lived by the Lions motto ``We Serve.''
  This year marks an important milestone for the Nashua Lions Club. For 
the past 80 years, the Nashua Lions has served the greater Nashua 
community by raising over $1 million that has gone to purchase eye 
examinations, eye glasses, eye surgery, and hearing aids for needy 
children and adults.
  But the true measure of their impact on Nashua is not in the dollars 
they have raised, but in the many lives they have touched.
  During the last year and with the help of the New KidSight camera, 
the Nashua Lions have tested more children between the ages of 3 months 
and 4 years than any club in the entire state.
  In the early 1950s, the Nashua Lions led by former Mayor Mario Vagge 
built the Friendship Club--a place for handicapped Nashua residents to 
go and socialize. The club is still in use today and has been a home 
away from home for many, including the famous author Richard Chaput of 
Nashua.
  Whether working with school nurses, local hospitals, Lions Camp 
Pride, Camp Carefree, or the Lions Haunted House, the Nashua Lions have 
responded to Helen Keller's call to service.
  In addition to their numerous community and charity efforts, the 
Nashua Lions have also provided leadership to the entire Lions 
International Organization. During their 80 year history, Nashua has 
had three district Governors: Clifford Sloan, Joseph Bielawski, and 
most recently Edward Lecius.
  Mr. Speaker, the Nashua Lions are a true example of America's 
volunteer spirit. Their leadership, compassion, and hard work have 
helped make the Gate City a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a 
family. It is with great pleasure that I rise to express my thanks and 
congratulations for their 80 years of devoted services to their 
community and state.