Assembly Resolution No. 299

BY: M. of A. Friend

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Elmira
Kiwanis Club to be celebrated May 4, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those fraternal organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Elmira Kiwanis Club to be
celebrated with a dinner on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Arnot Events
Center at the Arnot Mall; and

WHEREAS, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to
changing the world, one child and one community at a time; and

WHEREAS, The six permanent objectives of Kiwanis International are
to: give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material
values of life; encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all
human relationships; promote the adoption and the application of higher
social, business, and professional standards; develop, by precept and
example, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship;
provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring
friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better
communities; and cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public
opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of
righteousness, justice, patriotism, and goodwill; and

WHEREAS, More than 10,000 local residents have served the Elmira
community as Kiwanians during the past century, providing more than a
million hours community service hours; and

WHEREAS, Kiwanis provides leadership, guidance and mentoring by
sponsoring local Key Clubs in the area high schools, Elmira College's
Circle K and the Aktion Club (adults with developmental disabilities);
and

WHEREAS, Through the years, the Elmira Kiwanis Club has helped focus
on the development of the mind, body and spirit of children through
partnerships and affiliations with: YMCA, Fresh Air Fund, 4-H, Junior
Achievement, Special Olympics, and Summer Cohesion, just to name a few;
and

WHEREAS, Elmira Kiwanis Club has partnered with many area
not-for-profits, providing service or financial support in an effort to
make the community a better place to live; the following not-for-profits
include: YWCA, YMCA, Arctic League, Food Bank of the Southern Tier,
Samaritan Center, Elmira Community Kitchen, Elmira Downtown Development,
4-H and Cornell Cooperative Extension, Elmira Pioneers, Elmira Jackals
and Elmira Enforcers, Junior Achievement, Steele Memorial Library
system, Chemung County Historical Society, Red Cross, and the Salvation
Army; and


WHEREAS, For the past 100 years, the Elmira Kiwanis Club has donated
more than $500,000 to community groups and organizations; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, the wisdom of Kiwanis International changed in a
very positive way and membership privileges were extended to women; the
Elmira Club was the first Kiwanis Club in the region to induct women
members, within weeks of this important by-law change; and

WHEREAS, In recent decades the Elmira Kiwanis Club has supported the
Terrific Kids and B.U.G.S (bring up grades) programs at various schools
within the Elmira City School District, focusing on supporting the
educational struggles and recognizing the educational accomplishments of
students within the community; and

WHEREAS, Elmira Kiwanians have recognized the potential of
graduating high school seniors by awarding scholarships, and the
athletic accomplishments of high school students through its Athlete of
the Month/Season and Year recognition program; and

WHEREAS, Elmira Kiwanians, through the years, have supported Kiwanis
International projects in support of: UNICEF, eliminating Iodine
Deficiency Disease, and Neo-natal Maternal Tetanus; and

WHEREAS, Most recently, the Elmira Kiwanis Club established the
Hometown Heroes Banner program, proudly recognizing military service of
more than 225 local men and women who have served their country and
fought for our freedom; and

WHEREAS, In light of its commitment, dedication and successful
efforts, it is the custom of this Legislative Body to extend its highest
commendation to the Elmira Kiwanis Club; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Elmira Kiwanis Club; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Elmira Kiwanis Club.