Honor Owego Lions Club

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.