A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO WELCOME LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR ANTHONY W. PARADISO TO THE PALMETTO STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 99TH 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 5 through April 6, 2024, Palmetto State Lions will host the 99th Annual South Carolina Lions Multiple District 32 State Convention in Columbia, featuring the Honorable Anthony W. Paradiso, international director of Lions Clubs International, as their special guest; and

Whereas, Anthony W. Paradiso from Rockville Centre, New York, was elected to serve a two-year term as an international director of Lions Clubs International at the association's 105th International Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, July 7 through July 11, 2023; and

Whereas, Director Paradiso has more than thirty years of legal experience and is currently a district court judge responsible for the adjudication of criminal cases in Nassau County, New York; and

Whereas, looking for an opportunity to give back to his community for the scholarships that allowed him to attend college and law school, he was drawn to the service that Lions were providing. He joined the Rockville Centre Lions Club in 1996, where he has served continuously ever since. In addition to his leadership at the district level, he has held a number of offices within the association, including multiple district council parliamentarian. He also served as Lions Clubs International's representative to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime from 2010 to 2023, and he has been a group leader for multiple DGE seminars, a panel moderator for LDUN, and a forum presenter. In recognition of his service to the association, he has received numerous honors, including the Brandel Murphy Miracles Through Service Award and Robert J. Uplinger Award. The recipient of multiple International President's Awards and International President's Leadership Awards, he is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow; and

Whereas, in addition to his Lions activities, Director Paradiso is active in numerous professional and community organizations. He is an executive director and past president of the Columbian Lawyers Association of Nassau County, a past director for the Nassau County Bar Association, and past president for the District Court Judges' Association; and

Whereas, cognizant of the Lions' fine record of service for one hundred seven years, as well as the distinguished record of their international leadership, the General Assembly takes great pleasure in welcoming to South Carolina Anthony W. Paradiso, international director of Lions Clubs International, on the occasion of the 99th 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 Anthony W. Paradiso to the Palmetto State on the occasion of the 99th 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 the copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Anthony W. Paradiso, international director of Lions Clubs International, and the South Carolina Lions.

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