 
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.
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Elmira Kiwanis Club

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