[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2221-S2222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 CENTENNIAL OF CONNECTICUT LIONS CLUBS

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam President, today I rise to recognize 
Lions Clubs International as it celebrates 100 years of outstanding 
service in Connecticut.
  In the winter of 1921, Lions Clubs International, now the world's 
largest service organization, dispatched an organizer to Connecticut to 
form the first Lions Club in New England, the Bridgeport Host Lions 
Club. Throughout their century of service, these volunteers have worked 
diligently to help set up a fresh-air camp for Bridgeport's youth, 
create a vision clinic at Bridgeport Hospital, purchase x-ray devices 
at St. Vincent's Medical Center, provide dental services for the 
indigent at Park City Hospital, and a litany of other community 
projects. Lions Clubs in New Haven, Greater Hartford, New Britain, New 
London, Greenwich, Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington, and Bristol would 
soon follow. Today, approximately 160 clubs with over 4,600 Lions are 
serving their communities, many collaborating with local governments to 
act as dependable volunteer arms.
  In 1925, a future Connecticut resident, Helen Keller, would have a 
profound impact on the mission and very future of Lions Clubs 
International with her simple plea: ``Will you not help me hasten the 
day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind 
child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, 
you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and 
kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this 
crusade against darkness?'' Connecticut Lions not only embraced her 
message, but also did much more, donating monies and time to support 
their communities locally and globally. Lions Clubs across the State 
have sponsored parades, festivals, and school projects, as well as 
raised funds for building equipment to improve the quality of life for 
children, the disabled, seniors, and veterans. Connecticut Lions have 
taken families in need shopping to make their holidays brighter. In 
support of the health and well-being of their communities, Lions Clubs 
have donated ambulances, school buses and other vehicles, and vital

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equipment to our local emergency response teams, senior centers, and 
social services agencies.
  Perhaps the most critical area of focus for Lions Clubs has been in 
vision care. In their ``crusade against darkness,'' Lions Clubs have 
raised enormous sums for research into blindness and eye disease. The 
Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation was chartered in 1956, 
establishing an eye research clinic under the auspices of Yale 
University, and later helped establish a second research facility with 
the University of Connecticut. Thanks to the work at these clinics, 
thousands of children and adults have benefitted from quality care and 
research.
  Connecticut Lions have also established three District Lions Low 
Vision Centers to improve the quality of life and independence of those 
suffering from low vision. I have personally visited one of these 
centers and listened to healthcare providers and patients discuss how 
important and valuable these centers are.
  For those still struggling with hearing and vision issues, the 
Connecticut Lions have supported the Connecticut Radio Information 
System with donations, volunteer readers, and other assistance. Guide 
and service dogs have been sponsored by Connecticut Lions, helping to 
restore the independence of the blind and visually impaired in their 
communities.
  Connecticut Lions have also been deeply involved in providing relief 
from disaster and tragedy. In the early stages of the COVID-19 
pandemic, Connecticut Lions secured sizeable grants from Lions Clubs 
International Foundation to purchase and distribute critically needed 
equipment for our first responders and healthcare workers. When 
Hurricane Sandy devastated much of the State's shoreline, our Lions 
Clubs provided meals for first responders and volunteers who worked 
tirelessly to rescue people and restore services following the storm. 
Immediately following the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012, the 
Newtown Lions established a community fund to address the short-term 
and long-term needs of individuals arising from that tragic event. To 
date, they have raised more than $11 million for those affected by 
posttraumatic shock disorder, including many children of Sandy Hook 
Elementary School. Connecticut Lions recognized the desperate need of 
Hurricane Katrina victims, donating thousands of dollars and making 
multiple trips with shipments of vital supplies. Connecticut Lions have 
collected and provided food year-round, working with meal centers, food 
banks, and food share programs to distribute directly to our homeless 
and those in need. Police and first responders in many towns were 
provided with ``Homeless Kits.''
  In the face of tragedy and immense need, the Connecticut Lions have 
never forgotten the importance of looking to the future. Connecticut's 
youth have been a significant part of Lions Club service programs. 
Leadership, Experience, Opportunity--LEO--Clubs give our youth an 
opportunity to serve their communities and develop their leadership 
skills. The Lions Quest program brings schools, families, and 
communities together to promote the development of healthy and 
responsible young people through social and emotional learning, 
character development, and a commitment to community service. The 
International Peace Poster Contest has provided an opportunity for 
children to express their visions of peace through art and creativity. 
Outstanding students striving to reach higher academic achievement have 
been provided significant scholarships as rewards for their incredible 
work.
  We are proud of our Connecticut Lions who are, each one, a solid 
citizen contributing significantly to their community and beyond. They 
strive for new ways to serve others and to address the needs of their 
communities. Connecticut Lions are adept at recognizing needs, planning 
projects, organizing fundraisers, and rolling their sleeves up to get 
the job done. ``Where there is a need, there is a Lion!'' For 100 
years, our Connecticut Lions have proudly demonstrated their motto: 
``We Serve''

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