 
Assembly Resolution No. 515
 
BY: M. of A. Friend
 
        COMMEMORATING  the  65th  Anniversary of the Owego
        Lions Club
 
  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the  communities  across  New  York
State  are  reflective  of  the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare
of the community and its citizenry; and
 
  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the Owego Lions Club; and
 
  WHEREAS, The Owego Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs  International,
one  of  the  largest  service organizations in the world, and is deeply
committed to meeting the challenges of public service; and
 
  WHEREAS, The  name  Lions  stands  not  only  for  fraternity,  good
fellowship,  strength  of  character  and  purpose,  but  above all, its
combination of L-I-O-N-S heralds to the  country  the  true  meaning  of
citizenship:  Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  goal  of  the  Owego  Lions Club and the entire Lions
organization is to empower volunteers to serve their  communities,  meet
humanitarian   needs,   encourage   peace   and   promote  international
understanding; and
 
  WHEREAS, Lions are recognized worldwide for  their  service  to  the
blind  and  visually-impaired;  this  service  began  when  Helen Keller
challenged the Lions to become her "knights of the blind in the  crusade
against darkness" during the Lions' 1925 International Convention; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Three  lions from the Endicott Lions Club met with several
businessmen from Owego to discuss forming a Lions Club in Owego in  July
of 1951; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In  November  of  that same year, 24 men were chartered as
lions of the Owego  Lions  Club;  on  February  28,  1952,  the  charter
certificate  was  received  from  Lions  Clubs International, officially
making Owego a Lions Club; and
 
  WHEREAS, For the next 65 years, the Owego Lions Club  has  continued
to  support the Village of Owego and the surrounding area, helping needy
persons and organizations in humanitarian ways; and
 
  WHEREAS, The Owego Lions Club, soon after being chartered, purchased
a vehicle for the Owego Emergency Squad in the early  1950s  to  provide
transportation and aid to those needing medical assistance; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  members  of  the Owego Lions Club continued to assist
their community's needy with sight  conservation  projects,  eyeglasses,
eye training, and eye screenings; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The Owego Lions Club also supports Empire State Speech and
Hearing, now  known  as  Empire  State  Special  Needs  Experience;  the
Vacation  Camp  for  the Blind; New York State Finger Lakes Region Lions
Hearing Foundation; New York State and Bermuda Lions  Foundation;  Lions
See,  Inc.; Canine Helpers for the Handicapped; Guide Dog Foundation for
the Blind; Guiding Eyes for the Blind; Leader Dog Foundation; Lions Club
International Foundation; and Junior Diabetes research; and
 
  WHEREAS, The Owego Lions Club organized Ti-Li  (Tioga  County  Lions
Clubs),  a  zone  project  where  all  clubs  in  their  zone, including
Apalachin, Owego, Spencer/Candor, Tioga/Nichol and Waverly, get together
twice a year with blind and sight impaired people from Tioga County; the
attendees enjoy food and drink, play bingo, listen  to  live  bands  and
receive prizes; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The Owego Lions Club sponsored the Apalachin Lions Club in
1956, the Tioga Lioness Club in 1983, and the Spencer/Candor Lions  Club
in 1984; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In  1987,  when  International  Lions Club began accepting
females as members, Lion Eve Kretsch was the first lady to  be  inducted
into the Owego Lions Club; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In  1989,  Owego Club member Lion Bruce Ludwig was elected
District Governor of District 20E-2; in 1994, Owego Club member Lion  Ed
Kretsch  was  elected  District Governor of District 20E-2; and in 2005,
Owego Club member Lion Phyllis Ludwig was elected District  Governor  of
Districe 20E-2; and
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to  our
attention,  they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the Owego Lions Club, and to commend
its  members,  past  and present, who have labored so conscientiously to
secure and improve the quality of life  in  the  community;  and  be  it
further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Owego Lions Club.
Commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the Owego Lions Club

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