[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17219]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNITION OF MT. VERNON ELKS LODGE 819

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2003

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Mt. 
Vernon Elks Lodge 819. This year marks their 100th year of service to 
the people of Jefferson County. I am very proud of their milestone and 
that they are part of the 19th Congressional District, which I serve.
  The Elks is a national fraternity involved in a variety of charitable 
work involving children and veterans. Members also uphold their long-
standing tradition of patriotism and spirituality. Locally, they 
regularly disperse funds to help charitable causes and to provide 
scholarships. Several of their activities include assisting crippled 
children, volunteering at veteran's hospitals, organizing blood drives, 
providing learning opportunities for local students, and supporting the 
Jefferson County Sports Authority. The Mt. Vernon Elks have also been 
nationally recognized as the finest lodge in America.
  I thank them for all the work they do and will continue to do in the 
future. Their commitment to their country and to their fellow citizens 
is very commendable. The selfless services they provide on a daily 
basis are an example for us all to follow. There is no question that 
their community, their state, and their country are better because of 
them. I wish the lodge the very best as they enter into their next 100 
years of service.

                          ____________________