President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of October 17 with Lions Club International (LCI) President Barry J. Palmer and high-ranking officials of LCI MD 300 Taiwan. President Ma welcomed the overseas visitors to Taiwan and expressed hope that the Lions Club will continue to cooperate with the government to come to the aid of the underprivileged and work for social justice.
In remarks, President Ma noted that LCI President Palmer comes from New South Wales in Australia and earlier this year was elected as the head of the organization at its 96th Annual International Convention. A member of the Hornsby Lions Club since 1976, President Palmer has held many important offices within the organization, including club president and district governor, President Ma said. In addition, President Palmer has received the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor from the organization, for his work. President Ma pointed out that President Palmer is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. He is also a recipient of the Australian Medal issued by the Australian Government and the Australian Childhood Cancer Research Award. The president noted that Mrs. Palmer, Anne, is also a Lion and a Melvin Jones Fellow, and the couple has worked side by side in charitable and public service activities. President Ma expressed his admiration for their spirit of giving.
President Ma stated that LCI is one of the world's most renowned international charitable groups, whose founding mission is "to be the global leader in community and humanitarian service." The president said that LCI MD 300 Taiwan has been active here for 60 years. The local organization includes 15 regional offices and 1,003 chapters, with a membership of over 37,000, he remarked. The participants are involved in initiatives to prevent drug abuse, protect the environment, and prevent youth crime, and it provides services to those with impaired vision. The organization is also involved in disaster recovery, and provides international humanitarian aid, he commented. The Lions, the president said, have made outstanding contributions through the export of compassion and care for the underprivileged.
President Ma said that LCI MD 300 Taiwan has held a blood drive here each year since 1996. The organization has donated 58 blood donation vehicles, 21 blood delivery vehicles, and 19 ambulances, he noted. To date, the efforts of the organization have led to the donation of over 5.44 million units of blood, which the president said was an especially praiseworthy achievement.
President Ma explained to the visitors that Taiwan has transformed from an importer to an exporter of compassionate assistance. Two years ago, he said, the government and people of Taiwan donated a total of roughly US$200 million to Japan in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. In addition, the ratio of Taiwan's population that donates blood has reached 8%, he noted, the highest in the world. Furthermore, the president mentioned, our people provide financial sponsorship to some 230,000 underprivileged children throughout the world, which is equivalent to 1% of Taiwan's own population – the highest rate in the world. All of these facts demonstrate the integrity, kind-heartedness, good nature, and tolerance of the people of Taiwan, he said. President Ma also mentioned that he personally has given blood 186 times, often at blood donation vans donated by LCI MD 300 Taiwan. He added that he intends to continue to give blood in the future.
Lastly, President Ma thanked the organization for enhancing Taiwan's soft power and making important contributions to social service here. He emphasized that the government is striving to enable Taiwan to serve in the international community as a peacemaker, a provider of humanitarian aid, a promoter of cultural ties, a creator of new technologies and business opportunities, and a standard-bearer of Chinese culture. He also expressed hope that the visitors will continue to stand on the front line in public service activities, making contributions to the underprivileged and social justice.
In addition to LCI President Palmer, others in the delegation included LCI MD 300 Taiwan Council Chairperson Chien-Chang Yu (余建璋) and Mrs. Yu, LCI International Director Jui-Tai Chang (張瑞泰) and former International Director Ching-Li Lee (李清利). The group met with President Ma at the Presidential Office. Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Jacob Chang (張大同).