[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 121 (Tuesday, September 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL CENTURY OF SERVICE COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

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                               speech of

                      HON. ENI F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2012

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2139, 
the Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin 
Act. I thank my colleague, Mr. Roskam from Illinois, for introducing 
this bill which would direct the Secretary of Treasury to mint and 
issue $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of 
the Lions Clubs International.
  Founded in 1917 by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones, the Lions Club 
has expanded to over 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members worldwide. 
What began as a national association extended beyond U.S. borders 
within 3 years of founding. Now, nearly a century later, the Lions 
continue to carry out their motto ``We Serve'' in 207 countries, 
touching every corner of the globe.
  In the last century, Lions Clubs International has helped to solve 
problems and serve humanitarian needs on the ground. Their services 
reach the blind, youth, and the elderly and also address health, the 
environment and disaster relief.
  I am especially grateful to the Lions for their dedicated assistance 
to the people of my district in American Samoa. Following the deadly 
2009 tsunami that devastated villages in American Samoa and Samoa, our 
local Lions Clubs were among those that came to the aid of our people. 
The Lions Club of Pago Pago continued to provide relief to many 
residents who lost their eyeglasses during the tsunami. Volunteers 
offered residents eye screening services that included complete eye 
examinations to evaluate visual health and detect eye diseases, 
prescriptions, and referral services. The Apia Lions in Samoa also 
provided assistance through disaster relief shelters and distributed 
donations such as clothing, food, and medicine from international Lions 
Clubs members.
  I am proud to say that the Lions Club of Pago Pago has provided 
consistent services to our people of American Samoa and is a priceless 
asset to our community. I commend the Lions Clubs International and I 
stand in full support of this bill which celebrates and honors a 
century of international leadership in humanitarian service.

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