Assembly Resolution No. 477

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 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.