September 4, 2026
Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania (for himself and Mr. Panetta) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning on September 6, 2026, as Celebrate Community Week
.
Whereas Celebrate Community
is a weeklong initiative to promote joint community service among members of Lions Clubs International, Rotary International, Kiwanis International, and Optimist International, and the purpose is to elevate the collective social impact of the organizations and promote a spirit of worldwide volunteer collaboration;
Whereas, from September 6 through September 12, thousands of local area Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist International, and Rotary clubs will take part in service to address the needs of their communities during their second annual Celebrate Community initiative;
Whereas Kiwanis clubs change children’s lives by conducting service projects in their local communities focused on health and nutrition, education and literacy, and youth development;
Whereas Kiwanis clubs conduct more than 7,700,000 service projects globally and raise nearly $390,000,000 annually in partnership with their sponsored service leadership organizations such as Key Club and CKI;
Whereas Lions clubs encourage service-minded individuals to serve their communities without personal financial reward;
Whereas, since 1917, Lions 1,400,000 members have improved health and well-being, strengthened communities, and supported those in need, locally and globally, through humanitarian service and the grant-funding support of their global foundation;
Whereas, carrying the motto Bringing Out the Best in Youth, in our Communities, and in Ourselves
, Optimist International clubs conduct positive service projects that reach more than 6,000,000 young people each year;
Whereas Optimist International clubs conduct 65,000 community service projects each year, spending $78,000,000 in their communities and impacting over 6,000,000 youth;
Whereas Rotary’s more than 1,200,000 members believe we have a shared responsibility to take action on the world’s most persistent issues with sustainable, community-based solutions; and
Whereas more than 45,000 Rotary clubs invest hundreds of millions of dollars and countless volunteer hours to provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, support basic literacy and education, prevent and treat disease, support maternal and child health, support community economic development, support peacebuilding and conflict prevention, protect the environment, and end polio worldwide: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
(1)
supports the designation of Celebrate Community Week;
(2)
recognizes Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International for promoting community service and humanitarian assistance;
(3)
encourages Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International to continue to emphasize the values of community service and improving the community for all individuals, especially our youth;
(4)
applauds Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International for instilling in young people the value of community service; and
(5)
appreciates Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International for the work of their members to continue to strengthen our communities through service.