A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO WELCOME LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR RON KELLER TO THE PALMETTO STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 98TH ANNUAL SOUTH CAROLINA LIONS MULTIPLE DISTRICT 32 STATE CONVENTION AND TO HONOR THE LIONS CLUBS FOR THEIR MANY YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.

 

Whereas, founded in 1917 by Chicago business leader Melvin Jones, Lions Clubs International (LCI) is dedicated to making the world a better place. The largest service organization in the world, LCI, with its almost 1.4 million members in more than forty-nine thousand clubs, has become the world leader in blindness prevention and works extensively in members' local communities to help those in need. Lions Clubs activities include general community welfare projects, such as building parks, supporting hospitals and libraries, establishing youth programs, and sponsoring camps for disabled children; health projects, including aid to the blind, diabetes awareness, childhood cancer, hunger relief, and drug-abuse and violence prevention; and worldwide programs that provide disaster relief, environmental projects, long-term assistance to those in need, recycled eyeglasses and hearing aids for distribution in developing countries, the fostering of world peace through the International Peace Poster Contest and international youth exchange, and promotion and knowledge of the United Nations; and

 

Whereas, from April 27 to April 30, 2023, Palmetto State Lions will host the 98th Annual South Carolina Lions Multiple District 32 State Convention in Florence, featuring the Honorable Ron Keller, international director of Lions Clubs International, as their special guest; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Keller, who hails from Millersport, Ohio, was elected to serve as international director of Lions Clubs International at the association's 104th International Convention, June 24-28, 2022; and

 

Whereas, Director Keller has more than thirty-five years of experience as a government administrator and events coordinator. He is currently the cultural arts and events manager for the city of Columbus, where he manages city staff, drafts city legislation, oversees purchasing of equipment and supplies for events, and serves as a liaison to civic and community leaders in urban neighborhoods. One of his most notable projects was redesigning a public subsidy mechanism to make it easier for minority nonprofits to apply and receive city services within their neighborhoods; and

 

Whereas, he joined the Millersport Lions Club in 1979 with a desire to help better this small rural community. Since then, he has held a number of offices within the association, including GST coordinator, multiple district council chairperson, US/Canada Lions Leadership Forum host chairperson, and Lions centennial celebration coordinator. He was a member of the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank Operating Board, and since 1990 he has served as general chairman for the Millersport Lions' Sweet Corn Festival; and

 

Whereas, in recognition of his service to the association, he has received numerous honors, including multiple presentations of the International President's Award and the International President's Certificate of Appreciation, as well as an International President's Leadership Award. He is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow; and

 

Whereas, in addition to his Lions' activities, Director Keller is active in numerous professional and community organizations. He is a past president of the Walnut Township Board of Education and Millersport Board of Public Affairs. Further, he has been a board member of the Ohio Festivals & Events Association and the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Amusement Ride Safety Board; and

 

Whereas, Director Keller and his spouse, Kitty Lea Keller, who is also a Lion and a Melvin Jones Fellow, have three children and seven grandchildren; and

 

Whereas, cognizant of the Lions' fine record of service for one hundred six years, as well as the distinguished record of their international leadership, the General Assembly takes great pleasure in welcoming to South Carolina Ron Keller, international director of Lions Clubs International, on the occasion of the 98th Annual South Carolina Lions Multiple District 32 State Convention. Now therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, welcome Lions Clubs International Director Ron Keller to the Palmetto State on the occasion of the 98th Annual South Carolina Lions Multiple District 32 State Convention and honor the Lions Clubs for their many years of community service.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Ron Keller, international director of Lions Clubs International, and the South Carolina Lions.

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