LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Long Beach Lions Club upon the
occasion of its 85th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to organizations of high purpose and worthy accomplishment whose
endeavors have been dedicated to improving the quality of life for
others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Long Beach Lions Club, Long Beach, New York, upon the occasion of its
85th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, The Lions Club of Long Beach is renowned for its dedication
to the Long Beach community and its residents; part of the largest
worldwide service organization, Lions Clubs International, with 45,000
clubs and 1.35 million members in 206 countries and geographic areas
dedicated to identifying and meeting local community needs, the Long
Beach Lions Club may take pride in its history of support of Lions
International and of local charitable projects; and
WHEREAS, What became Lions Clubs International was founded by Chicago
business leader Melvin Jones in 1917 when he asked a simple, world-
changing question: "What if people put their talents to work improving
their communities?"; and
WHEREAS, Just a few years later, in 1925, Helen Keller, addressing the
Lions International convention in Ohio, urged the young service club to
serve the blind and visually impaired, challenging the Lions to become
"knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness," a challenge
immediately accepted by Lions International and to which its members
have been committed and known worldwide since that time; and
WHEREAS, The Long Beach Lions Club's dedicated members have created an
enduring legacy of service and pride of community; the Club is well-
known for its efforts on behalf of the blind and visually and hearing
impaired and for a wide range of projects benefiting the entire communi-
ty; and
WHEREAS, The Long Beach Lions Club continues to work diligently to
help Lions Clubs International achieve its vision of being the global
leader in community and humanitarian service and fully supports its
mission of empowering volunteers to serve their communities, meet huma-
nitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding
through Lions Clubs; and
WHEREAS, During its 85 years of service, the Long Beach Lions Club has
undertaken many fundraising projects to support its praiseworthy endeav-
ors; among them have been its Annual Golf Classic and its popular
Pancake Breakfasts; and
WHEREAS, The Long Beach Lions Club has sponsored 17 guide dogs; in
addition to its work on behalf of the blind and visually and hearing
impaired, it is active in diabetes awareness campaigns, the community's
coat and Thanksgiving food drives and the Guide Dog Foundation, Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation, and Long Beach Medical Center are special
interests of the Club for which its members work diligently; and
WHEREAS, This year alone the Long Beach Lions Club collected 1,300
pairs of glasses for recycling and 1,000 coats for the needy and had a
very successful Thanksgiving Food Drive and, through the L.C.I.F. (Lions
Club International Foundation) generously supported several hurricane,
earthquake and other relief efforts; and
WHEREAS, The Long Beach Lions Club is also justly proud of its Leo
Club, introduced by Lions International to inspire volunteerism and

leadership in young people and of its participation in the Lions SEE
(Screening Eyes Early) program; and
WHEREAS, The Long Beach Lions Club and its members exemplify the
Lions' motto, "We Serve"; the dedication to community service prevalent
among all those associated with the club merits the recognition and
applause of this Legislative Body and the appreciation of all those who
benefit from its services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Long Beach Lions Club, and its members, past and present,
upon the occasion of the celebration of its 85th Anniversary; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert L. Carroll, President of the Long Beach Lions Club.