Our Lady Queen of Peace Takes Top Honors at State Convention

Grand Knight, Joe LaGuardia poses with trophies at the Florida State Convention.

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By Nick France

TAMPA, FL-- May 25, 2003 – Our Lady Queen of Peace Council 11680 has been recognized for their outstanding efforts by winning three top honors at the Florida State Convention. The convention was held at the Marriott Waterside in downtown Tampa, May 23, 24 and 25, 2003.

The awards are:

• Highest Percentage in Membership Award
  
  
• Membership Participation Award
  
  
• Family Activities Award
  
  
• And a coveted Giuseppe Award

Delegates for Our Lady Queen of Peace were Grand Knight, Joe LaGuardia and Financial Secretary, Kevin McMahon. During the award ceremonies our delegates along with District Deputy, Tony Nalli were sitting quietly watching other councils picking up their awards.

They were watching confidently, knowing all the while that they had the highest percent membership award already won. When our council was called, they jumped up all excited to receive the trophy, and went back to their seats. Unexpectedly, they heard the membership trophy announced and our council’s name called once again. They went up to receive the trophy and went back to their seats. Now, in somewhat of a fog, holding two trophies, they heard our council’s name called again and they picked up yet another trophy. With all the excitement, after getting back to their seats, now holding three trophies, they had no idea what they had won. All were in a state of shock. "It must have taken 30 minutes or more to realize what we did and won," said Tony Nalli.

When they left the hall, they had pictures taken, only then did they read the trophies to see just what had transpired. Joe, Kevin and Tony never touched the floor all the way back to their hotel rooms. "That is the best high ever… even better than any drug in the world." reported Tony Nalli.

Winning trophies wasn’t the only thing on the agenda at this year’s convention. The casino night was outstanding and the Lettermen brought down the house. When the Lettermen came to our council’s table and asked Brother Tony to sing, the microphone was quickly removed and Tony was reminded to maintain his day job. But who could sound good compared to the heavenly harmonies of the Lettermen.

There were some resolutions with some notable outcomes. The resolution to change the allowed amount of money from $200 to $1000 to be given without a vote of the council was disapproved. The resolution to establish a bereavement fund order wide, was disapproved, siting that this is what insurance is for. A resolution to give deacons the same honors as priests was disapproved; siting only a priest may be so honored. The resolution to petition the Supreme Court, to rule in favor of keeping the words "under GOD" in our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance, was unanimously approved. This resolution was only fitting.

After all, it was the Knights of Columbus who adopted a resolution urging that the words "under God" be added after "one nation." Copies of this resolution were sent to the President, the Vice President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1952 and again in 1953. As a direct result of this campaign, a resolution was adopted by Congress and signed by President Eisenhower on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.

This just in from our District Deputy, we are now District 25 and no longer 23.

Finally, the election of State Officers for the fraternal year 2003 - 2004 was held with the following results:
State Deputy, Stan Zgurzynski
State Secretary, J. Stanley (John) Miaso
Appointed State Program Director, Leon Noga
State Treasurer, Robert Read
State Advocate, James Schonefeld
State Warden, Douglas J. Murray

Our sincere congratulations and prayers go out to our newly elected State Officers.

This year’s Florida State Convention proved to be a great time for all. It was certainly a convention to remember for our council, and a perfect way to cap off what has been a great two-year run for Grand Knight, Joe LaGuardia. Now, Joe will be the first to tell you, and it’s certainly true, without the efforts of his Brother Knights, none of the council’s goals would have been met.

Having said that, I would be totally remiss if I wrote this article without mentioning Brother Ed Stratton and his efforts with membership. Ed Stratton, then Chancellor and newly elected Deputy Grand Knight, is our membership director. You’d have to search far and wide to find a better man for the job. Many reading this article were recruited by Ed and know his passion for his brother knights and our council.

But it doesn’t stop with Ed it goes on throughout the council; all of us pulling together to reach the goals set out each year. As we embark on a new fraternal year and a new slate of officers, let’s continue to strive to meet our new goals so we can have a convention to remember next year.