[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 27, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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      RECOGNIZING THE VAN BUREN LIONS CLUB'S 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise to recognize and 
congratulate the Van Buren Lions Club as it celebrates 100 years of 
service to western Arkansas.
  The Van Buren Lions Club was chartered on October 10, 1922, only 5 
years after the creation of Lions Club International. Since its 
founding, its members have committed themselves to making a difference 
in the lives of people in the community and around the world.
  While it began as a club to support local causes and provide 
networking for businessmen, a larger mission came into focus after 
Helen Keller spoke at the Lions Club International convention in 1925. 
She challenged all Lions to be ``Knights of the Blind'' and her 
eloquent plea transformed the organization, making support of sight-
related programs the group's primary mission.
  Throughout its 100-year history, the Van Buren Lions Club has worked 
tirelessly to make a difference for this cause. It hosts annual 
fundraisers and works with area eye doctors to recycle glasses, 
donating them to people who cannot afford them. In addition, members 
support local eye examination programs as well as the Arkansas Eye Bank 
and Laboratory, Lions World Services for the Blind, Mid-South Sight and 
Hearing Service, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Lions Clubs International 
Foundation, Diabetes Education and Prevention, Sight First, and the 
Lions of Arkansas Foundation.
  As an optometrist, I am proud of the great work done by this club and 
Lions chapters around the world. I congratulate the Van Buren Lions 
Club on its 100th anniversary and hope these Knights for the Blind 
continue to prosper in their mission for years to come.

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