Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-05-21

HONORING THE LAS CRUCES KIWANIS CLUB ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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On 2026-05-21, Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-2) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LAS CRUCES KIWANIS CLUB ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING THE LAS CRUCES KIWANIS CLUB ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E482-E483] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LAS CRUCES KIWANIS CLUB ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. GABE VASQUEZ of new mexico in the house of representatives Thursday, May 21, 2026 Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Kiwanis Club of Las Cruces, New Mexico, on their 100th anniversary. For 100 years, this group has dedicated its time and effort to the betterment of the local community and its youth. Originally chartered in 1926 as the 19th club in the Southwest District, the Las Cruces Club has maintained an active status through a rapidly advancing and changing society. Their work reflects the Kiwanis Club's defining statement, ``Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.'' Supporting children and youth is an integral part of Kiwanis, and in 1957, the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club established the first Key Club at Las Cruces High School. Over time, they expanded Key Clubs to Centennial, Mayfield, and Organ Mountain High Schools. They maintain active partnerships with each school, hosting quarterly meetings with advisors to discuss new service opportunities and recognize the clubs for their work. They have also sponsored service leadership clubs in other schools in the community, including K-Kids for elementary school students at the Explore Academy and the Builder's Club for middle school students at Camino Real, Lynn, and Zia Middle Schools. The Club also has a Signature Project, the Kiwanis Housing Insecure Students Support, or ``KHISS,'' through which they work with the McKinney-Vento Project Link operating in the Las Cruces Public Schools. To support this project, they have held several fundraisers in recent years, such as Restaurant Day, a Halloween Fish Fry, a Chile Ristra Paint Party, and selling ``rat on a stick'' at the Renaissance Arts Faire. In addition to their Signature Project, the Club has a long history of service to the community They help purchase school supplies for kids in the Las Cruces School District, provide free books to children through interactive games, and host several other events to get youth involved in the community. Additionally, in the 1940s the Club began providing free milk to underprivileged children in Tortugas and other local communities. The Club is constantly looking for ways to support their community and is always ready to lend a helping hand. In 2018, the Club provided $1000 to Jardin de los Ninos, and in 2021, they donated to the Mesilla Valley CASA to help make up for a loss suffered from a break-in. In one of their biggest projects to date, the Club assisted the youth center in 2020 by constructing fencing around the recreation area. Supporting their community to this extent is no small feat and requires a lot of organization, dedication, and local involvement, which is displayed in the success of their fundraisers. From 1958 to 1990, they hosted a [[Page E483]] Pancake Day fundraiser that allowed the Club to fund and continue their community service. The tradition continues today through pancake breakfast fundraisers for school youth groups and other local charities. Additionally, from 1999 to 2019, they held the Kars for Kids Car Show annual fundraiser, which was enjoyed by both participants and the community. On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to thank the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club for their service to the Las Cruces community and its youth and congratulate them on their centennial anniversary. We are grateful for the Club's astounding contributions to New Mexicans, and we wish them continued success for years to come. ____________________

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HONORING THE LAS CRUCES KIWANIS CLUB ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E482-E483] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LAS CRUCES KIWANIS CLUB ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. GABE VASQUEZ of new mexico in the house of representatives Thursday, May 21, 2026 Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Kiwanis Club of Las Cruces, New Mexico, on their 100th anniversary. For 100 years, this group has dedicated its time and effort to the betterment of the local community and its youth. Originally chartered in 1926 as the 19th club in the Southwest District, the Las Cruces Club has maintained an active status through a rapidly advancing and changing society. Their work reflects the Kiwanis Club's defining statement, ``Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.'' Supporting children and youth is an integral part of Kiwanis, and in 1957, the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club established the first Key Club at Las Cruces High School. Over time, they expanded Key Clubs to Centennial, Mayfield, and Organ Mountain High Schools. They maintain active partnerships with each school, hosting quarterly meetings with advisors to discuss new service opportunities and recognize the clubs for their work. They have also sponsored service leadership clubs in other schools in the community, including K-Kids for elementary school students at the Explore Academy and the Builder's Club for middle school students at Camino Real, Lynn, and Zia Middle Schools. The Club also has a Signature Project, the Kiwanis Housing Insecure Students Support, or ``KHISS,'' through which they work with the McKinney-Vento Project Link operating in the Las Cruces Public Schools. To support this project, they have held several fundraisers in recent years, such as Restaurant Day, a Halloween Fish Fry, a Chile Ristra Paint Party, and selling ``rat on a stick'' at the Renaissance Arts Faire. In addition to their Signature Project, the Club has a long history of service to the community They help purchase school supplies for kids in the Las Cruces School District, provide free books to children through interactive games, and host several other events to get youth involved in the community. Additionally, in the 1940s the Club began providing free milk to underprivileged children in Tortugas and other local communities. The Club is constantly looking for ways to support their community and is always ready to lend a helping hand. In 2018, the Club provided $1000 to Jardin de los Ninos, and in 2021, they donated to the Mesilla Valley CASA to help make up for a loss suffered from a break-in. In one of their biggest projects to date, the Club assisted the youth center in 2020 by constructing fencing around the recreation area. Supporting their community to this extent is no small feat and requires a lot of organization, dedication, and local involvement, which is displayed in the success of their fundraisers. From 1958 to 1990, they hosted a [[Page E483]] Pancake Day fundraiser that allowed the Club to fund and continue their community service. The tradition continues today through pancake breakfast fundraisers for school youth groups and other local charities. Additionally, from 1999 to 2019, they held the Kars for Kids Car Show annual fundraiser, which was enjoyed by both participants and the community. On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to thank the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club for their service to the Las Cruces community and its youth and congratulate them on their centennial anniversary. We are grateful for the Club's astounding contributions to New Mexicans, and we wish them continued success for years to come. ____________________