SPONSOR:	Rep. Schwartzkopf & Sen. Blevins & Sen. Cloutier
	Reps. Baumbach, Bolden, Briggs King, Carson, Collins, Dukes, Gray, Heffernan, Hudson, Jaques, J. Johnson, Keeley, Kenton, Kowalko, Longhurst, Miro, Mitchell, Osienski, Outten, Ramone, B. Short, Smyk, Spiegelman, Viola, K. Williams, Wilson; Sens. Bushweller, Ennis, Hocker, Lavelle, Lopez, McBride, McDowell, Poore, Richardson, Townsend

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12

RECOGNIZING THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION THAT THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL MAKE TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS TO THE WORLD AT LARGE, BY RECOGNIZING MARCH 24, 2015 AS "DELAWARE STATE LIONS DAY" IN THE STATE.

WHEREAS, Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs worldwide in over 210 countries; and

WHEREAS, founded in 1917, Lions Clubs International is best known for fighting blindness by conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine, and raising awareness of eye disease, and other laudable activities; and

WHEREAS, the Lions Clubs also volunteer for many different kinds of community projects – including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry, and aiding seniors and the disabled; and

WHEREAS, the Lions Clubs' Leo Program is currently providing approximately 144,000 youths in more than 140 countries an opportunity for personal development through volunteering; and

WHEREAS, since 1968, the Lions Clubs International Foundation has awarded more than $700 million in grants to support humanitarian projects around the world; and

WHEREAS, the Lions Clubs International Foundation was ranked the number one non-governmental organization in a 2007 study by The Financial Times – a finding that was reinforced by a 2009 Charity Navigator review that awarded the Foundation its highest ranking; and

WHEREAS, the Lions Clubs International Foundation helps communities following natural disasters by providing for immediate needs such as food, water, clothing, and medical supplies; and

WHEREAS, Lions Clubs have been active in Delaware since 1922; and

WHEREAS, there are 35 active Lions Clubs in the First State consisting of 1,261 members; and

WHEREAS, the Lions Clubs receive no State grants to carry out their altruistic efforts on behalf of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, through 98 years of action the Lions Clubs have lived up to their motto: "We Serve.";

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 148th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that March 24, 2015 is recognized as "Delaware State Lions Day."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitably prepared copy of this Resolution be forwardedto Cheryl Jones, District Governor 2014-2015 District 22 D.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitably prepared copy of this resolution be forwarded to Lions International Headquarters, 300 22^nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60521-8842, Attention: Office of International President Joseph Preston.