Melitta J. Cutright
Nicole Brown
630-571-5466 x363

For Immediate Release

Texas Rancher Elected President of Lions Clubs International

OAK BROOK, IL, USA, July 4, 2006—Jimmy M. Ross of Quitaque, Texas, USA, was elected president of The International Association of Lions Clubs at the association’s 89th International Convention, held June 30-July 4, 2006, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Ross is a rancher and retired judge. His special interests are community service, membership extension and strengthening local Lions clubs. He has been involved in chartering more than 500 Lions clubs around the world.

President Ross will lead the world’s largest international service club organization, which has nearly 1.35 million members in 45,000 clubs in 197 countries and geographic areas around the world. Lions clubs are known for their efforts to preserve sight and eradicate blindness, as well as their commitment to community service and helping youth.

As president, Ross will help set the direction for the association and oversee Lions Clubs International Foundation and the foundation’s SightFirst Program, a US$200 million effort to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness.

President Ross has been active in numerous professional and community organizations. He was a member of the Water Control & Improvement Board and the District Juvenile Probation Board as well as chairperson of the board of the All Emergency Systems in 26 counties of Texas.

A Lions member since 1969, President Ross has held many positions in Lions Clubs International at the local, district and international levels. Additionally he has taken part in eyeglass recycling missions to South America. He has received numerous awards from Lions Clubs International, including the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor bestowed upon association members.

President Ross and his wife, Velda, have three daughters, two sons-in-law and one granddaughter.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with nearly 1.35 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in 197 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit the Web site at www.lionsclubs.org.

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