[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 40 (Monday, March 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE LAVEEN ANNUAL COMMUNITY PARADE SPONSORED BY THE 
                           LAVEEN LIONS CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUBEN GALLEGO

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2016

  Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the leadership 
and volunteers who organize and staged the 16th Annual Laveen Community 
Parade.
  Since its inception, the parade has been hosted annually by the 
Laveen Lions Club. The Laveen chapter was chartered on October 21, 
1974, as a member of the largest community service organization in the 
world, Lions Clubs.
  Lions Clubs bring together individuals devoted to making their 
communities a better place, regardless of race, religion, gender or 
language. As their motto, ``We Serve,'' indicates, Lions Club members 
work tirelessly to support and assist those in need.
  The 16th Annual Community Parade, which took place in February 2016, 
honored the agrarian heritage and diversity of the Laveen community. 
The parade featured local school clubs, horses and riders, community 
organizations and other officials and floats, including an award-
winning float from the Arizona Submarine Veterans Perch Base.
  Outside of the annual parade, the Laveen Lions Club engages in a 
variety of community service projects. This winter, members and 
volunteers sent over 1,000 Christmas cards to troops in Afghanistan to 
honor those who serve and protect us. The Lions Club also provided 
Christmas Baskets full of food and Christmas gifts to thirty-five 
families and six senior citizens in the community. In addition, they 
collected and donated 2,615 pounds of food and Christmas gifts for 
distribution by local food banks, faith-based centers and community 
organizations.
  The Laveen Lions Club has long worked with local elementary and 
charter schools to conduct a vision and hearing screening program. 
Across ten local schools, Lions Club volunteers have provided service 
to more than 3,000 kindergarten, first, second, fourth, sixth grade and 
special needs students.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the leadership of Jeff Sprout, this year's 
Laveen Lions Club Parade Chairperson, as well as the many volunteers 
who successfully organized and staged the 16th Annual Laveen Community 
Parade and who are a consistent force for good in the local community.

                          ____________________