One Hundred and Ninety-eight years ago, last July 4, brave and courageous men affixed their signatures to the Declaration ~f Independence, pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, Since that eventful date, through the dedication, sacrifice, bravery and efforts of countless thousands, Americans have been privileged to enjoy the finest way of life ever known to mankind. Each of us has an obligation to preserve that way of life for those who will follow.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that all Kiwanis Clubs and all Kiwanians in the California-Nevada-Hawaii District will, to the best of their ability, rededicate themselves to the implementation and activation of that object of Kiwanis 11To develop by precept and example a more intelligent, aggres- sive and serviceable citizenship.11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that as the United States of America approaches its 200th anniversary in 1976, we shall enlist the help of our fellow citizens everywhere to participate with us in programs and activities to help assure the continued blessings of freedom.
2, SUMMER EMPLOYMENT
WHEREAS, many foreign students studying in the U.S. came here under an assumption that they could seek and undertake summer employment to assist themselves to meet the costs of their higher education, and since this assumption was well-grounded in past practice of the Immigration Service and past policies of the State Department concerning granting of student visas, and
WHEREAS, the numbers of foreign students seeking summer employment are of minimal significance when considered as having an adverse effect on the U.S. Youth and labor market, and
WHEREAS, work experiences, even in fields unrelated to students' curricula, can often be judged quite educative in their total effect, especially for students from other cultures; and whereas working one's way through college is a typical American experience;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the California-Nevada-Hawaii District of Kiwanis International recommend strongly to appropriate U.S. government
officials in the executive and legislative branches that permission should be restored to officials of academic institutions to authorize granting permission for summer employment to foreign students who are in satisfac- tory academic status and proper legal status under Immigration and State Department laws and regulations.
Florida
L Conservation - "SHOW YOU CAREn
WHEREAS, our great country of the United States needs, and our National and State leaders have requested, the conservation of our national re- sources; and such conservation being an absolute necessity for the preservation of our way of life,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Florida District of Kiwanis In- ternational that conservation of our resources is of prime importance and a must for our nation and the world; and that Kiwanians will conserve and urges national conservation of all our great and much needed resourses - WE CARE.
Illinois-Eastern Iowa 1. Heritage of America
We Americans realize that the future of this great Country belongs to the people, we who believe in ourselves and not only what we stand for, but in the direction in which we are moving.
Pride in our great nation depends on appreciation of our heritage, as well as in our willingness to preserve and respect our traditions and our way of life.
The United States of America approaches the 200th anniversary of the day when our freedoms were secured by brave and courageous men, who pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. The sixth object of Kiwanis states as follows: 11To cooperate in creating and mainta.ining that:
sound public opinion and high idealism which makes possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and good will.11
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the delegates of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International in convention assembled in Decatur, Illinois, August 15-17, 1974, that all Kiwanians, as concerned citizens who enjoy the blessings of America, dedicate ourselves to an active appreciation of our way
of life and the blessings of our traditions.
That further we develop and encourage the precepts and principles of patriotic endeavor as we have known them in these United States for nearly two Genturies, in that we encourage all Kiwanis Clubs to enlist the participation of their fellow citizens in the celebration of this nations' 200th anniversary.
2. Partnershi£ with Youth
Service to children and youth and, more recently, service in partnership with youth, have characterized Kiwanis achievement through the years.
Through Circle Kand Key Club sponsorship, Kiwanians have had the rich oppor- tunity to share with thousands of young men and women the joy and worth of service, the responsibilities of a free society, and the essential role of the informed leader in such a society.
Moreover, our close association has kept open for us channels of communica- tion and understanding, so f~equently denied in our times to those who have only a cursory view of children and young adults.
Thus, the strengthening and expansion of Circle Kand Key Club, as well as other worthy youth organizations, will enhance the opportunity for Kiwanians to serve in partnership with youth while maintaining a rapport with the coming generations.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
a. That sponsoring clubs re-pledge their acceptance of responsibility toward their Circle Kand Key Clubs, constantly and objectively assess the quality of their sponsorship, and effectively marshal Kiwanis Club resources for strengthening and expanding the
partnership.
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Illinois-Eastern Iowa, continued
b. That Kiwanis Clubs capitalize upon every opportunity to share with youth the experience of selecting, planning, and implementing joint programs of association and service.
c. That Kiwanis Clubs respond with renewed vitality to the needs and aspirations of all children and youth whose lives can be enriched if we show we care.
3. Drunk Driving
WHEREAS, the death toll on American highways related to drinking drivers has continued to rise; and
WHEREAS, the resulting sorrow, dismay and frustration are continuing to increase; and
WHEREAS, the plea bargaining and other procedures and final penalties are much too lenient to deter those who endanger lives of others and their own through drunk driving;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that each Kiwanian,
a. Through direct personal communication with judicial, legislative and administrative governmental officials urge formation of and support for enactment of more realistic penalties to fit the crime of drunk driving;
b. Urge more diligent application of such penalties;
c. Urge that such changes provide for jail sent~nces to be served at night or on weekends;
d. Urge that appropriate halfway houses and other rehabilitative programs be provided as an alternative to jail;
e. Take action with news media to publicize the'problem, and arouse public concern and support for this effort to alleviate the appalling highway danger;
f. And that every Kiwanian in the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International examine his own pattern of alcoholic beverage consumption.
4.
Reaffirmation of FaithProgress of civilization in all ages has been most fruitful where men have sought power beyond themselves to accomplish the seemingly impossible. This power we call God. Each man has his own impression of God's form, but each recognizes that He embodies life, love, light, justice and righteousness.
With a constant seeking of God's power, these qualities flourish in a com- munity, a state, a province and a nation.
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Illinois-Eastern Iowa, continued
People, especially Kiwanians, are demonstrating by their daily living that God lives. The God of our Fathers is more than adequate to provide for all the needs of the space age.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International publicly and proudly express its belief in a living,
loving God and challenge every Kiwanian to activate his faith in all of life's relationships.
5. News Media
The freedom of gathering and disseminating the news involves the privilege of seeking out not only the obvious but the undisclosed or hidden truths, and then the obligation of honest accurate reporting. We defend the right of any news media to express editorial opinion, but we oppose directed, slanted, or tainted news articles that seek to influence rather than to inform,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we in Kiwanis continue our active support of all responsible news media and stand ready to defend and promote sound, accurate, and informative news.
6. Our Senior Citizens
The number of retired persons is constantly increasing. These persons have spent active lives. We are cognizant of the fact that economic and social adjustments must be made to permit them to continue useful lives.
Kiwanians are vitally interested in helping to provide opportunities for these citizens.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the delegates of this convention urge all Kiwanis Clubs to help provide opportunities for retiring and retired citi-
zens, and that we continue to-sponsor and develop programs which will
enable these persons to enjoy productive lives by utilizing their abilities, talents and skills.
7. Operation Drug Alert
One of the continuing emphasis programs of Kiwanis International has been the program of Operation Drug Alert, for convenience referred to as "ODA."
Kiw,anis International has been singularly recognized for its promotion of this program.
Notwithstanding such activity the use of narcotics and drugs conttnues to be a matter of national concern. Not the least of these is the continuing suggestion that the sale and distribution of marijuana thru retail outlets of grocery, drug and department stores be legalized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Kiwanis Club of the Illinois- Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International continue to participate in and actively support the "ODA" program, and.that the clubs that have not participated in this program be urged to consider this as a major program.
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Illinois-Eastern Iowa, .continued
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Convention stand committed to the principal of opposition to the legalization of the use of or the sale and distribution of marijuana in any manner whatsoever, and that the Congress of the United States and the various State Legislatures be encouraged to enact stiffer penalties for all pushers of all drugs.
8. Recognition of Worthy Officials in High Places
The highest loyalty of an official or public servant is not to any per- sonality whether he be a President or General or a Senator. Nor is it to any organization, such as a department or party or agency. In our free society his first loyalty is to the law of the land built upon the constitutional foundations laid many years ago by our founding fathers, THOMAS JEFFERSON, GEORGE WASHINGTON, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, AND OTHER GREAT MEN OF OUR Revolutionary past. In the light of recent investigations it
is easy to brand all public officials as corrupt and hold them in general disrepute.
It would be a tragedy if we permitted the mistakes of a few to screen out the virtues of most, or if we let, our disappointment with some aspects of our system turn into despair for that same system as a whole. It can
work, it will work and the way to make it work is to bring more good people into it.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Kiwanis Clubs of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International dedicate themselves to the stimulation and growth of a wholesome political atmosphere where good government can flourish by recognizing public legislators and statesmen who have singu-
larly distinguished themselves by the public presentation of plaques or other suitable awards.
Kiwanis clubs can encourage public servants to strive for this award and attract new young men to enter the field of politics.
9. V.D.
WHEREAS, the alarming spread of venereal disease throughout our society has become a serious threat to the quality of life and to life itself, and WHEREAS, public must be made aware of the severity of this problem, and WHEREAS, Kiwanians individually and as clubs can find numerous ways to support programs combating the dangers of venereal disease,
BE IT ,RESOLVED, that all Kiwanians in all of the Kiwanis clubs of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International support and co- operate with health authorities and organizations interested in health problems in order to eradicate venereal disease.
10. The Younger Years
In every nation, children are our greatest treasure - their complete de- velopment our major responsibility. Medical authorities estimate that
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Illinois-Eastern Iowa, continued
twenty percent of all children may not reach their full potential because of some undetected learning disability. If their problem is identified and diagnosed in time, these children can be helped to overcome their difficulties and achieve a full and normal life.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International give emphasis in its 1974-75 programming to service projects which will enable Kiwanis clubs to:
*
alert all parents of pre-school children to the kinds of learning disabilities that exist and to the need for early detection.*
motivate Kiwanians to play the greatest possible role in the screen- ing, under the direction of experienced examiners, of all pre-school children in order to identify as early as possible those with apparent learning disabilities.*
provide all necessary encouragement and assistance to parents in assuring that children so identified receive professional diagnosis.*
provide all possible assistance, and work with parents and others to enable these children to achieve full fruition of their talents.Indiana
1. WHEREAS, this great country of ours will celebrate its bi-centennial in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Kiwanis is built upon the principle of good government in addi- tion to all of the other great attributes of our organization; and
WHEREAS, we as Kiwanians, individually, as clubs, and as a District, owe a great deal to the heritage of our country; and
WHEREAS, it behooves us to maintain this heritage and to join with com- mittees planning appropriate programs in community behalf, in state behalf, and in national behalf for the celebration of our bi-centennial;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we as individual Kiwanians and as Kiwanis clubs in the Indiana District, now and in the next two years to
come, assert every effort to properly celebrate and lend our support to a proper celebration, meaningful in the eyes of the world and to show to the world that our form of democracy, even though tested in recent times, is the best form of government, and that in our short span of life, our government has proven to be the government of the people.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we rededicate ourselves to all that is good for America.
2. The foundation of a free society being predicated upon the trust of the people in the honesty, integrity, initiative and strength of its leaders, and their ability to exercise fair and impartial judgment in providing for and meeting the needs of society.
BE IT RESOLVED THEREFORE, by the Indiana District of Kiwanis International in Convention here assembled, that all persons in places of leadership and responsibility in our great society, be they political leaders of our federal, state or local government, or be they persons occupying positions of trust and leadership in the local community and the business world, be called upon to rededicate themselves, by precept and example, to the funda- mental principles of honesty, integrity, and initiative in the discharge of their public trust and in their everyday relations with each other to the end that our society may maintain its position as a respected leader among the nations of the world and in the eyes of its citizens.
Kansas