[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 54 (Monday, April 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE NEW HAVEN LIONS CLUB ON THE CELEBRATION OF THEIR 
                            90TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2012

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
extend my very best wishes to the members of the New Haven Lions Club 
as they gather to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of this extraordinary 
community organization. Over the course of its history, the New Haven 
Lions Club has enabled its members to contribute to our community in a 
positive and meaningful way. Indeed, in the last century, members of 
the New Haven Lions Club have helped to shape the very character of our 
community.
  Founded in February of 1922, the New Haven Lions Club was only the 
second such club started in New England. From the very beginning, 
member's work in the community concentrated on assistance to local 
blind persons and underprivileged children. In its earliest years, 
Lions would repair radios for the blind and transport them to and from 
local meetings as well as donate dinners and presents to needy families 
during the holidays. Over time, the Lions club has expanded both its 
membership and its activities on behalf of those in need.
  Today, the New Haven Lions Club can be very proud of the two very 
special Service Projects it supports on an on-going basis. The first is 
Camp Cedarcrest, a forty-two acre facility located in Orange, 
Connecticut that began its operations in 1928. The New Haven Lions have 
partnered with four other service organizations--the Kiwanis, Probus, 
Quota and Rotary Clubs--who own the grounds and buildings, set policy, 
and provide capital improvements. In partnership with the New Haven 
Department of Parks and Recreation which provides a resident Ranger as 
well as organizes and supervises day camping and other activities, Camp 
Cedarcrest is available for recreation to thousands of young people and 
adults each summer season. In addition to the substantial financial 
support provided by the Club, over the years, New Haven Lions have 
contributed hundreds of hours of voluntary labor to ensure the upkeep 
of the grounds. The second service project to which the New Haven Lions 
have dedicated themselves is the One-To-One Program. This project, 
which is organized as a hands-on personal involvement of one Lion and 
one blind person, was first established in 1975 and has been a great 
success ever since.
  In addition to these two service projects, the Lions also give back 
to the community by supporting Leo Clubs in local schools, volunteering 
their time and energies to other local service organizations like the 
Salvation Army and the Special Olympics, and providing scholarships to 
young people beginning their collegiate studies. In fact, as of their 
annual report last year, the New Haven Lions Club had spent in excess 
of $750,000 to assist the less fortunate--all of which was raised by 
members.
  The New Haven Lions have had an extraordinary impact on our community 
and we cannot thank them enough for all of their good work. As they 
celebrate their 90th anniversary, I am proud to stand to congratulate 
them on this remarkable milestone and to extend my deepest thanks and 
appreciation to members past and present for their outstanding efforts 
on behalf of our community. I have no doubt that they will continue to 
do so for many more years to come.

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