LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Evans
Township Lions Club celebrated on January 16, 2016

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 commem-
orate the 70th Anniversary of the Evans Township Lions Club, celebrated
at a dinner on Saturday, January 16, 2016, at M.P.B. Hall in Angola, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The Evans Township Lions Club is a member of the Lions Inter-
national, which includes 1.4 million members from over 200 countries and
geographic areas; and
WHEREAS, The International Lions Club was founded by Chicago business-
man Melvin Jones in 1917; and
WHEREAS, In 1925, Helen Keller, while addressing the Lions Interna-
tional Convention in Ohio, urged this new club to serve the blind and
visually impaired and called upon them to become "knights of the blind
in the crusade against darkness"; and
WHEREAS, Since that time, the Lions Club has committed itself to serv-
ing those with visual impairments; and
WHEREAS, The Evans Township Lions Club was chartered on January 31,
1946, and since then, the Lions Club has contributed to various charita-
ble organizations throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, During the Evans Township Lions Club 70th Anniversary Cele-
bration, a program highlighting its long history of service was
presented to the members and guests; and
WHEREAS, In the early years, Lions Club projects included raising
money to help purchase the first ambulance in the Town of Evans and to
help purchase the organ for the new High School building, the town
"Rodeo" in the late 1950s, and donating bleachers for the High School
football field as well as the Annual Children's Halloween Costume
Parade; present day service projects include the Memorial Day Weekend
Community activities at the Veterans Park in Derby, New York, and the
Lions Club core mission of sight conservation; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the program included a display of old paper,
club records, awards and memorabilia, a computer slide show of pictures
from more recent activities, and a video of the Club's 50th Anniversary
Celebration; and
WHEREAS, Evans Township Lions Club President, Spencer Vail, accepted a
commemorative proclamation, recognizing Sunday, January 31, 2016, as
Evans Township Lions Club Appreciation Day; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the members of the Evans Township Lions Club, past and present, who have
labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for
the community it serves; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Evans Township Lions Club cele-
brated on January 16, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Evans Township Lions Club.