[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1838-E1839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SKIPPACK LIONS CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Skippack Lions 
Club during its 50th anniversary celebration. The Skippack Lions Club 
was chartered in September of 1953, with the assistance of the nearby 
Kulpsville Lions Club.
  As we all know, Lions Clubs across the nation are made up of active 
and energetic citizens who undertake numerous initiatives and projects 
to make their communities better places to live and raise families. 
Beginning in 1917, Lions Clubs have offered people the opportunity to 
give something back to their communities. Since 1925, when Helen Keller 
addressed the Lions Club International Convention and challenged the 
group to become ``knights of the blind in the crusade against 
darkness,'' the Lions have been committed to providing assistance and 
service to the blind

[[Page E1839]]

through a wide variety of activities. Today, with more than 46,000 
clubs in 192 countries, Lions activities have expanded to help meet the 
needs of the global community.
  The Skippack Lions Club hosts several annual events, including a 
community Halloween parade, an Easter egg hunt and a Veterans Day 
program. The Club fulfilled an important need within the Skippack area 
by sponsoring the Skippack Community Ambulance Association. The Lions 
were also instrumental in forming the Skippack Recreation Association, 
which continues as an active community organization, providing swimming 
and other recreation to Skippack area residents.
  I am proud to represent an organization that has spent so many years 
in the service of others. I wish to extend my thanks, and the thanks of 
all those who have been helped by members of the Club. I encourage my 
colleagues to join me in saluting Skippack Lions Club on reaching this 
milestone.

                          ____________________