LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL ON ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY

S*0742 Resolution, By Climer and Peeler A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL ON ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO RECOGNIZE AND SALUTE THE RIVER HILLS/LAKE WYLIE LIONS CLUB FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO ITS COMMUNITY.   06/06/17  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 5)

TO CONGRATULATE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL ON ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO RECOGNIZE AND SALUTE THE RIVER HILLS/LAKE WYLIE LIONS CLUB FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO ITS COMMUNITY.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Lions Clubs International on its one hundredth anniversary on June 7, 2017, as it celebrates many years of promoting community service and humanitarian assistance; and

Whereas, Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service-club organization, with forty-six thousand clubs and more than 1.4 million members around the globe. The organization's motto, "We Serve," highlights its charitable and humanitarian priorities, including eyesight preservation and blindness prevention, services for individuals with disabilities, hearing and speech conservation, diabetes awareness, youth outreach, services for older individuals, activities that promote international goodwill, disaster relief, and environmental protection; and

Whereas, the purposes of Lions Clubs International are to create and foster a spirit of understanding among people around the world; to promote the principles of good government and good citizenship; to take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social, and moral welfare of the community; to provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; to encourage service-minded individuals to serve their communities without personal financial reward; and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, public works, and professional and private endeavors; and

Whereas, the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International and, chartered in 1975, has been active nearly half a century; and

Whereas, the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club has one hundred sixty-nine members who rendered more than fourteen thousand volunteer hours this year. The club supports more than thirty charities; has formed and supports its own emergency medical squad; collaborates with regional Lions Clubs for more successful outcomes for hearing loss patients; supports research and eye surgeries at the Storm Eye Institute on the campus of the Medical University of South Carolina; and awards yearly a $6,000 scholarship to a Clover High School student in commemoration of Lion Harold M. Breitman; and

Whereas, the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club's Kidsight program has screened more than twelve thousand school children in York and Union counties since its inception in 2015. The program was recognized as CN2s Hometown Hero and received a Daughters of the Revolution Award of Excellence; and

Whereas, this year, the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club raised more than $70,000 and, together with the raffle team and Christmas tree sales team, brought in more than $100,000 to support humanitarian causes locally and worldwide; and

Whereas, the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club, like many Lions Clubs internationally, heeds Helen Keller's challenge to serve as "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Lions Clubs International on its one hundredth anniversary and recognize and salute the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club for outstanding service to its community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club.