AJR193

A Joint Resolution permanently designating the third week of October as “Lions Club Vision Screening Week” in New Jersey.

Whereas, Lions Club International, one of the world’s largest service club organizations, has a long history of serving individuals who are blind or have visual impairment; and

Whereas, Following Helen Keller’s call to action in 1925, challenging members of the Lions Club to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness,” the Lions Club launched a global campaign to restore sight and prevent blindness; and

Whereas, Lions Club International provides vision screenings for children six months of age to six years old around the world, as the first few years of a child’s life are critical to vision development; and

Whereas, Visual impairment becomes nearly impossible to treat after the age of six, but many vision impairments caught early on in a child’s life can be treated and remediated; and

Whereas, Screening a child for binocular vision and visual acuity assists in the early identification of visual impairment, enabling a child to obtain appropriate treatment that can improve the child’s comfort and quality of life; and

Whereas, Early vision screenings are an integral part of a child’s growth and development, as vision plays a critical role in a child’s reading ability, educational outcomes, and overall academic performance; and

Whereas, With over 150 Lions Club International clubs located in New Jersey, members of the Lions club have had a substantial impact on the vision health of New Jersey’s children by providing over 50,000 eye exams a year; and

Whereas, The members serve the local community by providing eye glasses, eye exams, and camps for children who have visual impairments across New Jersey; and

Whereas, Lions Club International serves the children of New Jersey and plays a key role in reducing blindness, delivering eye care services, and building comprehensive and sustainable eye care systems; and

Whereas, Due to the dedication of the Lions Club International to the vision health of the children of New Jersey, it is altogether fitting and proper to permanently designate the third week of October as “Lions Club Vision Screening Week” in New Jersey; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The third week of October shall be permanently designated as “Lions Club Vision Screening Week” in the State of New Jersey in order to recognize the dedication of the Lions Club International to the vision health of the children of New Jersey and bring awareness to childhood vision screenings.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the third week of October as “Lions Club Vision Screening Week” in New Jersey, and calling upon public officials and the citizens of the State to observe this week with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This resolution designates the third week of October as “Lions Club Vision Screening Week” in New Jersey.

Lions Club International is one of the world’s largest service club organizations and serves individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The Lions Club launched a global campaign to restore sight and prevent blindness following Helen Keller’s call to action, challenging the members of the Lions Club to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Lions Club International does important work to identify and prevent vision impairment in children six months of age to six years old.

It is important for a child to have vision screenings early on, as early identification of vision impairment and appropriate treatment can improve the child’s comfort and quality of life. Early vision screenings are an integral part of a child’s growth and development, ensuring robust academic performance and reading abilities.

The Lions Club International has over 150 clubs in New Jersey that provide over 50,000 eye exams per year, eye glasses, and camps for children who have visual impairments. The Lions Club International plays a key role in reducing blindness, delivering eye care services, and building sustainable eye care systems. Due to the Lions Club International’s dedication to the vision health of the children of New Jersey, it is fitting and proper to designate the third week of October as “Lions Club Vision Screening Week” in New Jersey.