[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 LEXINGTON LIONS CLUB 75TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2005

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, the Lexington, Missouri, Lions Club will 
celebrate its 75th anniversary by hosting a reception and dinner this 
weekend. As a Lexington Lions Club member since 1957, I know how much 
this organization has given to our community and I want to congratulate 
the Club on the achievement of this milestone.
  The Lexington Lions Club was organized in 1930, with Warren Sherman 
Sr. serving as its first president. Members of the Club have been 
active in promoting the Lions organization throughout Missouri, 
sponsoring new clubs in the cities of Odessa, Wellington, Hardin, 
Richmond, Buckner, and Henrietta. The Club hosted the Missouri State 
Lions Convention in May 1936, and over the years, six members of the 
Lexington club have served as District Governors for the State of 
Missouri.
  Over the last 75 years, the Lexington Lions Club has made countless 
contributions to the community, many of which focus on improving the 
lives of young people. The Club has sponsored Boy Scout Troop 318 for 
over 60 years and provides scholarship awards to Lexington High School 
graduates. The Club sponsors a band student at the Missouri Lions All-
State Band and sponsors a student at Missouri Boys State. In addition 
to supporting participation in the Missouri Lions All-Star Football and 
Basketball programs, the Club purchased the basketball scoreboard for 
the Lexington High School.
  The Lexington Lions Club has also worked on important community 
betterment projects. In the 1950s, the Club purchased property for 
Lions Club Park in Lexington. In August 1973, the Club donated 62 acres 
of land to be used as a park by the City of Lexington and donated 
grounds for the Little League baseball field and for the swimming pool. 
The Club donated 457 street markers for the City of Lexington and 
participates in the Adopt-A-Highway program.
  Lions Clubs are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind 
and the visually impaired. The Lexington Lions Club provides sustaining 
financial support to the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation, the 
Leader Dog Program, and to the Lions Club International Foundation. As 
part of its mission to help others see, the Club provides eyeglasses to 
needy students and has collected many thousands of pairs of eyeglasses 
donated for those in need.
  The men and women who serve their communities through membership in 
local service organizations contribute so much to their neighbors and 
epitomize the spirit of community that makes our Nation great. The 
Lexington Lions Club has achieved an enormous amount since its founding 
in 1930, and I know the members of this body join me in congratulating 
the Lexington Lions Club on its anniversary and wish the Club continued 
success in the years ahead.

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