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  History of Lionism
 

Lions Clubs International began with a small group of men, lead by a Chicago Insurance man named Melvin Jones, who wanted to do more than they did in the business clubs of that day. They wanted to Serve. "We Serve" is the motto of this organization, and today it has become the world's largest service organization.

The first Lions Convention was held in Dallas, Texas in October of 1917, with 29 clubs and less than 50 men in attendance. There were 12 Texas clubs in  attendance. They were Abilene, Austin, Beaumont, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Paris, Port Arthur, San Antonio, Temple, Waco and Wichita Falls. These clubs are now know as FOUNDERS CLUBS.

The first officers chosen for the Lions were:

                                     Dr. D. P. Woods - Indiana - President
                                     D. H. Lewis - Dallas, TX - Vice President
                                     Melvin Jones - Chicago, IL - Secretary/Treasurer
                                     C. H. Kirk - Houston, TX - Director

At the 1925 International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, Helen Keller gave a speech that would set our direction for years to come. Texas is District 2 of Lions International. From its beginning of 12 clubs, by 1930 it had grown to 242 Clubs and 8414 members. That year the State was divided into 5 Districts: T, E, X, A, S. Due to the tremendous growth over the years, the State was divided several more times. In 1959-60  District 2-S2 was divided into 2-S2 and 2-S4, thus forming our district as we know it today. David A. Evans of Houston became the first District 2-S4 Governor, who later became the International President in 1968-69 Lions year.

Today there are 16 districts in Texas, each lead by a District Governor. These 16 Governors form the Council of Governors. They transact the business of the State including State Leadership Training, State and International Convention activities, and supervise the Texas Lions Camp. Today, 2-S4 consists of 13 counties, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Dewitt, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio, Victoria, and Wharton; 63 Clubs and 2100 plus members.
   

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