The Year of Lions Centennial Celebration

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama
WHEREAS, The International Association of Lions Clubs was founded in 1917 and is celebrating 100 years of humanitarian service; and
WHEREAS, the humanitarian service of Lions clubs began in Alabama in 1922 with the chartering of Lions Clubs in Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile; and
WHEREAS, The Lions of Alabama are members of the world’s largest service club organization composed of 1.4 million members, in 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas; and
WHEREAS, Helen Keller, a native of Alabama, provided the Lions their signature cause of working with the blind when they accepted her challenge “Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?” during the association’s international convention in 1925; and
WHEREAS, The Lions of Alabama have made significant contributions to the leadership of the association with four International Presidents, 1933-34 Roderick Beddow, Sr., 1963-64 Aubrey D. Green, 1980-81 William C. Chandler and 2001-02 J. Frank Moore III and eight additional Lions that have served on the International Board of Directors, 1939-41 Henry W. Sweet, 1952-54 E.L. “Slim” Harris, 1967-69 W. Tom Jones, 1970-72 John O. Eddins, 1982-84 Charlie F. Boyd, 2003-05 Lowell J. Bonds, 2010-12 Yamandu P. Acosta, 2015-17 H. Jerome Thompson; and
WHEREAS, Alabama has 133 Lions Clubs with more than thirty-one hundred Lions serving the citizens of our state; and
WHEREAS, The Lions of Alabama provide service to thousands of individuals each year through state-wide projects such as Alabama Lions Sight Conservation Association, Alabama Lions Eye Clinic, Alabama Lions Vision Missions, Alabama Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center, Alabama Lions Opportunities for Youth Fund, Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum, Alabama Lions High School All-Star Band, a partnership with the Camp Seale Harris Diabetes Camp/Southeastern Diabetes Education Services, and countless services provided by Lions clubs in their local communities:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim 2017, as
The Year of Lions Centennial Celebration
in the State of Alabama and encourage our citizens to support them in their work on behalf of all residents.
Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 31st day of May 2017.
Kay Ivey
Governor