[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 23493-23494] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOWNINGTOWN LIONS CLUB ______ HON. JIM GERLACH of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Monday, September 29, 2008 Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Downingtown Lions Club on its 80th Anniversary and to honor the service organization for its commitment to serving the community. Founded in 1928, the Downingtown Lions Club is part of the largest service organization in the world with approximately 1.3 million members in 202 nations. National Lions Club founder and Chicago businessman Melvin Jones said in 1917 that the organization was created to give something back to their communities. And the Downingtown Lions Club has certainly carried out that mission admirably. Thanks to the dedication and work of its members and volunteers, the Club built the Kerr Park Pavilion and installed a drinking fountain along the Struble Trail. Hundreds of people in the community have benefited from the Club's distribution of free eyeglasses and [[Page 23494]] funding raised for sight and hearing programs, including the Leader Dog Program. The Club will celebrate its 80th Anniversary on Saturday, October 4th during a dinner at the Thorndale Inn. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing the Downingtown Lions Club for reaching this special milestone and in commending the efforts of Club members, both past and present, for their tireless dedication and service to the Downingtown area. ____________________