[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25397]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 COMMENDING THE BROOKLYN CENTER, MINNESOTA LIONS CLUB FOR 46 YEARS OF 
                       SUPPORTING COMMUNITY NEEDS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 28, 2000

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I proudly salute a remarkable organization 
in my district which has been working hard for nearly half a century to 
raise badly needed resources to fund countless community efforts and 
held people in need.
  For 46 years, the Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Lions Club has always 
been there to help with a wide variety of critical needs. There are no 
words to adequately convey my admiration and thanks for all that the 
Brooklyn Center Lions have accomplished through their inspiring public 
service.
  Mr. Speaker, it is organizations like the Brooklyn Center Lions Club 
which keep our country strong. As a fellow Lion, I want to salute the 
Brooklyn Center Lions who quietly volunteer their time, energy and 
talent to meet pressing demands in their community. I also applaud the 
Brooklyn Center Rotary Club for honoring the Brooklyn Center Lions last 
week.
  Mr. Speaker, the great city of Brooklyn Center is greater because of 
the many important contributions of the Brooklyn Center Lions over the 
last four decades. The Lions live by the motto ``We Serve,'' and the 
Brooklyn Center Lions personify community service.
  In 1999 alone, Mr. Speaker, the Brooklyn Center Lions donated $30,203 
to the city to provide extra special help wherever and whenever needed. 
Over the years, the size and scope of the Lions' generosity paints a 
vivid picture of public service. Through the years, the Lions have 
donated $160,000 to the city, $125,000 to the schools and $110,000 to 
youth sports.
  Since I was first elected to Congress, I have made expanded 
opportunities for people with disabilities one of my highest 
priorities. The Lions of Brooklyn Center share that passion and know 
that our nation is underutilizing a very talented and hard-working 
population by not offering more people with disabilities the 
opportunity to contribute. That's why the Brooklyn Center Lions built 
ramps for people in wheelchairs so they can lead more independent, 
fulfilling lives.
  Mr. Speaker, the Lions Club in Brooklyn Center each and every year 
comes through with funds to get civic projects off the ground. The 
Lions Club lifts spirits by supporting the hometown Earle Brown Days, 
concerts, special festivals and the Park and Recreation Department's 
annual Halloween party.
  The Brooklyn Center Lions have donated money for a training tower for 
the Brooklyn Center Fire Department, bikes for the Brooklyn Center 
Police Department's bike patrol, fitness equipment for police officers 
and the picnic shelter in Lions Park.
  Mr. Speaker, the needs of children are always foremost in the minds 
of Brooklyn Center Lions Club members. Memories will last a lifetime 
for all the elementary school students who were able to travel to the 
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum because of the generosity of the Lions. 
The club gives to the Brooklyn Center Charitable Foundation to help 
children get coats, gloves and school supplies.
  Clubs like the Lions of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, are the lifeblood 
of our communities. That is literally the case with the Lions of 
Brooklyn Center when they support events like the American Cancer 
Society's ``Relay for Life.'' The Brooklyn Center Lions for almost half 
a century have rung bells with the Salvation Army, gathered food for 
the hungry and helped clean up the city parks.
  Mr. Speaker, the Brooklyn Center Lions truly represent the best in 
public service, and I am very proud to represent them in Congress. The 
Brooklyn Center Lions are a model for the nation and a great community 
resource.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting the tremendous public service 
performed by the Brooklyn Center Lions for 46 years! Thank you, Lions, 
for all you have done and will continue to do in the years ahead.

                          ____________________