Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Curtis Lee Johnson Returns From Lions Club Convention

Curtis Lee Johnson of Prescott, a member of the Prescott Lions Club, was one of 740 Lions Club members from around the world sworn into the position of district governor during the 82nd Lions Clubs International Convention in San Diego, Calif., June 28 through July2.

The international convention officially began when the district governors were joined by nearly 17,000 other delegates from 100 countries.

Johnson helped kick off the event by joining thousands of Lions in marching through the streets of San Diego in a colorful four-hour parade of nations.

During the week, Johnson had the opportunity to hear an address by former astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison and witness the swearing in of 1999-2000 International President James E. Ervin. In addition, he and others participated in a seminar and banquet.

Johnson was accompanied by his wife, Mary Allie, who attended a photography session and an orientation meeting detailing the active role spouses play during a district governor's year in office.

"The Lions International Convention provided me with a wonderful opportunity to enhance my leadership role within the association through...," Johnson said in a news release.

While in San Diego, the Johnsons took the opportunity to see his two sisters and their families.

Lions Club International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in over 44,000 clubs in 185 countries and geographical areas.

Lions primary service activity has been to serve the blind and visually impaired since 1925, when Helen Keller challenged delegates to that International Convention to be her "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness."