Senate Resolution 9

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 898 IN VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHARITABLE SERVICE.

WHEREAS, on May 15, 2004, the Knights of Columbus Council 898 of Vicksburg, Mississippi, celebrated 100 years of service to its family, its church and to the citizens of the City of Vicksburg; and

WHEREAS, the Knights of Columbus is a men's Catholic fraternal organization that focuses its efforts for charitable causes; and

WHEREAS, on October 2, 1881, a small group of men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause; they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and their faith. These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882; and

WHEREAS, the Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need; and

WHEREAS, as the National Order of the Knights of Columbus has grown, its benevolence has increased. The Order continues to break all of its previous records for charitable contributions and volunteer service. In the past decade, the Knights have raised and donated nearly $1 Billion to numerous charitable causes and volunteered nearly 400 million hours of service. Last year alone, the Knights donated more than $125 Million and more than 60 million volunteer hours to charitable causes; and

WHEREAS, the Knights of Columbus have grown from several members in one council to more than 12,000 councils and 1.6 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this landmark event in the history of a society whose members have contributed time and energy to civic and charitable service in their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Knights of Columbus Council 898 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, upon the occasion of their 100th anniversary of charitable service to the community, and we extend to the council the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate as they rededicate their efforts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Knights of Columbus Council 898 and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.