1999-2000   At the 82nd International Convention in San Diego, California, Lion Robert "Bob" Edwards, of the Midland Westside Club, was installed as the 41st District 2-A1 Governor. Lion Alvin "Al" Owen of the San Angelo Downtown Lions served as the Vice District Governor.  Lion Denisa Marston was appointed Cabinet Secretary and the Treasurer was Lion Robert R. "Bob" Truitt, Jr.  Governor Bob's theme was "Charge into 2000 on the Lions Fleet - Membership, Leadership, Partnership, Stewardship, and Fellowship."
     On Monday, July 6, 1999, following the Convention, District Governor Edwards started his official year by visiting in Big Spring with Lions Youth Exchange students. On July 8th, he attended the 15th anniversary and installation of officers of the Midland Suburban Lions Club.  The first 100% donation of the new year was presented by the Stanton Evening Lion Club on July 10th.  In July 1999, PDG Paul Palmer completed his term of office as Lions Camp Director from 1993-1999,.
     In August 1999, Governor Edwards and his wife, First Lady Donna Edwards, traveled to Rochester, Michigan  to visit the Leader Dog School facility. 
     The 1st District Convention was held in San Angelo on July 12-13, 1999. Lion Denisa Marston reported  that the Texas Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in Midland served 56 adults in Big Spring, Midland and San Angelo areas who were fitted with glasses.  Approximately  30,000 glasses were processed for locations in Lamesa, Colorado City and San Angelo.  The MTI Photo Scanner was utilized in Big Spring for young children with vision problems.
     PID Jimmy Ross of Quitaque, and Lion Tom Mills of Big Spring, traveled to El Salvador with a complete Optical unit and 4200 glasses. They conducted a clinic and trained 26 Lions. They also visited the Chiapas, Mexico, Odom Eye Clinic.  A surgical team was present for patient treatment.
     Another Optical Training Team traveled to Honduras in September 1999, for an eight day visit. PID Marshall Cooper of Beaumont was the Liaison Officer and Lion Denisa Marston was Captain of the Training Team. They traveled with equipment and 4200 glasses.  It was reported that of over 300,000 students, an estimated 100,000 children had vision problems.
     The 2nd Cabinet meeting was held at Howard College in Big Spring on October 8-9, 1999. PDG Paul Palmer reported that during July 1998 to June 1999, a total of 1357 patients were treated at the Acuña Clinic.  Seventy-one cataract surgeries were performed; 854 pairs of glasses fitted, and 432 patients received general medical care.
     The Council of Governors of the Lions of Texas announced a change in the ordering of Lions Candy mints.  Mints will no longer be supplied through Texas Lions Foundation. 
     Sweetwater Lions Club celebrated its 70th anniversary on October 2, 1999. The Keynote Speaker was International Director Connie De La Garza.
     The District was saddened to hear of the sudden and unexpected death of Elizabeth Owen, the wife of Vice District Governor Al Owen.  In true Lions spirit, Elizabeth Owen donated her corneal tissue to the District 2-A1 Eye Bank.  Through her generosity, two persons received the gift of sight.
     Governor Edwards attended the Second Council of Governors in November 1999, in Tyler, Texas. It was reported that the State had lost 1609 members in the past 3 years, a continuing trend.
     The District 2-A1 Mid-Winter Conference was held at the Midland Downtown Lions Club Building in January 2000.  The Council of Governors met for the third time in Kerrville in February 2000.
     The District Convention was held in Brownwood-Early on April 14-15, 2000. Vice District Governor Al Owen was elected District Governor for the next year.  Lion Sabino Garcia was elected Vice District Governor.  Lion Joyce Downie, of the Concho Pearl Lions Club, was appointed Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer, her second time to serve in that capacity.
     The Texas Lions State Convention was held in San Angelo on May 18-19, 2000. The convention was attended by 460 Lions and guests.  Mrs. Carole Hansen from the Leader Dog for the Blind School gave a presentation on the puppy program.

2000-2001   Lion Alvin "Al" Owens, of the San Angelo Downtown Club,  was elected as the 42nd District 2-A1 Governor at the District Convention in Brownwood-Early.  Lion Sabino Garcia was elected as Vice District Governor.  Lion Joyce Downie was appointed to her second term as District Secretary/Treasurer.  Governor Al's theme was "Harmony through Communication and Cooperation."
     Lion Al's first official trip was to the International Convention in Hawaii where he was installed as District 2-A1 Governor.  After the convention, Governor Owen married his fiancée, Billie Dye, on a cruise ship.
     At the 2nd Cabinet Meeting held in Kingsland, four members from the Amistad Lions Club from Ciudad, Acuña, Mexico were presented a grant check from LCIF for $20,800.00 to purchase new equipment for the Acuña Eye Clinic. 
     The Mid-Winter Conference was held in Sonora on February 9-10, 2001.  PDG Paul Palmer received the "Top Ten International Understanding and Cooperation Award."  Lion Denisa Marston and PDG Paul Palmer received a President's Certificate of Appreciation Awards. A resolution was read nominating Lion Dale Palmer for the office of South District Camp Director.
     This year the District had two individuals enrolled in training at the Lions World Services for the Blind in Little Rock, Arkansas.
     The District Convention was held in San Angelo on April 20-21, 2001.  Vice District Governor Sabino Garcia was elected to serve as the District Governor for the year 2001-02. Lion Virgil Polocek won a close race with Lion Denisa Marston to become the Vice District Governor for the coming year. Lion Dale Palmer was elected as the South District Camp Director.  Lion Joyce Downie was appointee as the District Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer.
     At the State Convention in San Antonio in May 2001, the District 2-A1 Peace Poster winner, Sawyer Stoltz of Midland Trinity Christian School, placed second in the State. Governor Owen received the President's Leadership Award.

2001-2002  Lion Sabino Garcia was elected as the 43rd District 2-A1 Governor.  Lion Virgil Polocek of the Sonora Lions was elected as the Vice District Governor. Lion Joyce Downie of the San Angelo Concho Pearl served as the Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer, her 3rd year to serve in that post.

Webmaster's note:  The history for Governor Garcia's term have not been completed as of this writing.

2002-2003   Lion Virgil Polocek was elected as the 44th District Governor.  Lion Melvin Felch was elected as the Vice District Governor.  Mary Ann Kay served as Cabinet Secretary. Shelley Hughes was appointed as Cabinet Treasurer.

Webmaster's note:  The history for Governor Polecek's term have not been completed as of this writing.

2003-2004   Lion Melvin Felch was elected as the 45th District 2-A1 Governor.  Lion Joyce Downie of the San Angelo Concho Pearl was elected as the Vice District Governor. Verna Rae Gilbreath was appointed as Cabinet Secretary and Billy Murphey was appointed to serve as Cabinet Treasurer.

Webmaster's note:  The history for Governor Felch's term have not been completed as of this writing.

2004-2005   Lion Joyce Downie was born and raised in Orange, California and graduated from Orange High School in 1953. In 1955 she met and married Lion Ron Downie who was in the Air Force stationed

off the coast of California on San Clemente island. They have 3 sons and 8 grandchildren.

Lion Joyce joined the San Angelo Concho Pearl Lions Club in January of 1994. She served the club as Treasurer for several years and then as 3^rd Vice President, 2^nd Vice President, 1^st Vice President

and President in 2001-2002. At the District level, she served as Cabinet Secretary for PDG Joan Caldwell, PDG Al Owen and PDG Sabino Garcia. In 2003-2004 at the District Convention held in Sonora, Tx she was elected to the office of Vice District Governor. At the District Convention held in Brownwood Texas on May 8^th, 2004 she was elected to the office of District Governor for 2004-2005. At the International Convention held in Detroit Michigan on July 9^th, 2004 she was sworn in as District Governor of District 2-A1 by International President Clement F. Kusiak.
     Serving with Governor Joyce was Vice District Governor Zac Gray of the Brady Lions Club, Cabinet Secretary Lion Emilio Perez Jimenez of the San Angelo Southside Lions Club and Treasurer Lion John Fortenberry of the San Angelo Downtown Lions Club.
     District Governor’s Joyce’s theme for the year was Heart’s to Love and Hands to Serve. Her goal for the year was to have a net gain in membership and to form new clubs in the district.
     Governor Joyce started her official visits with her home club, San Angelo Concho Pearls on July 12, 2004 and finished visiting all 55 clubs by February 2005.
     The Big Spring Evening Lions Club, led by PDG Bob Noyes, hosted the first Cabinet meeting on July 23^rd and 24^th, 2004 with Governor Joyce Downie presiding. There was an evening social on Friday night held at the Las Pasada Restaurant, as well as the meeting and lunch on Saturday. There were 98 members attending. Special guest was Lion Sandy Griffin, MD-2 Leader Dog Chairman with her dog Ivy Green IV. The speaker for Saturday’s luncheon was Barney Johnson, Past Potentate of the Suez Shrine Center of San Angelo, Texas. This was the last meeting that PDG Oscar Cook attended as he passed away on July 30^th, 2004. The membership chair he held was then filled by PDG Paul Palmer
     Governor Joyce and Lion Ron attended the First Council of Governor’s meeting in Kerrville on August 5^th thru the 7^th. She also attended the Texas Lions Camp Board meeting held at the same meeting. On August 13^th Governor Joyce and Lion Ron traveled to the Leader Dog School in Rochester, Michigan to see the facility and how the dogs are trained to become Leader Dogs.
     The Brady Lions Club hosted the Second Cabinet meeting on October 15^th and 16^th. Friday night was very special as they had a fish fry and dance at the VFW Hall. The Saturday Cabinet Meeting was also held there and the guest speaker was PID Mike Butler of Kerrville, Texas. It was the same cry for members, as the first cabinet meeting. Governor Joyce had visited half of the clubs in the district. She urged all Lions to remember our motto " We Serve". A resolution was read by the Brady Lions Club President Bobby Williams promoting Vice District Governor Zac Gray to the office of District Governor 2005-2006.
    The second Council of Governor’s meeting was held in Nacogdoches , Texas on November 3^rd and 4^th which Governor Joyce and Lion Ron attended.
     The Midwinter Conference was held on January 21^st and 22^nd, 2005 at the Carnegie Library and was hosted by the Ballinger Noon and Evening Clubs. This is a very special building and all like going there for meetings etc. A Dutch treat dinner was held at the Acapulco Restaurant on Friday which was enjoyed by all. The meeting and lunch was held at the Carnegie Library on Saturday, January 22^nd. The guest speaker was Council Chairman Dick Robinson, who was a dynamic speaker. Resolutions were read for the Acuna Eye Clinic Director for PDG Sabino Garcia of Southside Lions of San Angelo, Camp Director-North, Lion Clarence Geistmann of Downtown Lions Club of San Angelo, and Vice District Governor for Lion Marshall Twombly of the Downtown Lions Club of San Angelo. These names will be placed on the District ballot along with VDG Zac Gray’s for District Governor at the District Convention April 15-16 in San Angelo, Texas.
     Governor Joyce presented a 50 year Lion Chevron to PIP Ebb Grindstaff. PDG Ike Fitzgerald was named into the Texas Lions Hall of Fame as he well deserved. A savings bond was presented to the Midland Northside Lions Club to be given to the Peace Poster Contest winner, Susan Weidner, age 11.
     The third Council of Governor’s meeting was held in Kerrville on February 3-6 which Governor Joyce and Lion Ron attended. Governor Joyce also attended the Texas Lions Leadership Forum held in Austin, Texas on March 19-20, 2005.
     The District 2-A1 Convention was held at the San Angelo Inn in San Angelo. Texas on April 15^th and 16^th, 2005. This Convention was hosted by all 8 Lions clubs of San Angelo. This was Governor Joyce’s final meeting and awards banquet. Activities started with a hospitality gathering on Friday, April 19^th with good food and music. This was well attended.
     The Key Member breakfast was held April 16^th at 7:30 AM at the San Angelo Inn with PDG Al Owen as the guest speaker. He had an informative agenda on membership.
     At 9:00 AM the Cabinet meeting began. After a welcome from City Councilwoman Jamie Rainey, Mayor Pro-tem, the various subjects of the cabinet members were given. During the meeting PIP Bill Biggs of Lions International celebrated World Wide Induction Day by inducting new members into Lions Club International. Chaplin Lion Frank Berthold held the Necrology Service at 11:00 AM and Lion Marie Bryan placed a flower into a vase for 32 deceased Lions. Four of the roses were for Past District Governors Oscar Cook of San Angelo, Leonard Hanson of Midland, J. E. Barrington of Midland and Homer Hodge of Winters, Texas.
     Luncheon followed and the guest speaker was PIS Dana Biggs, wife of the International guest PIP Bill Biggs. PDG Al Owen honored PDG Paul Palmer with a beautiful figurine for his special work done at the Acuna Eye Clinic in Mexico. Gary Karschner was the Master of Ceremonies for the District 2-A1 Queens Contest which followed the luncheon.
     The election took place from 2:00 to 4:00 in the lobby, the results of the election to be announced at the banquet.
     A special reception was held to honor Lions International PIP Bill Biggs and wife, Dana at 5:30 PM.
     The Awards Banquet was held at 7:00 PM with PIP Bill Biggs being the speaker. Awards were given to many and Presidential awards were given to Lion Dorothy Cook for PDG Oscar Cook, IPDG Melvin Felch and Lion Ron Downie. Danielle Hamilton from the Bangs Lions Club was chosen as the next District 2-A1 Queen.
     Governor Joyce Downie presented all Cabinet members with special made certificates. She then gave the election results as follows:

      The past several years our Cabinet Meetings and Conventions have had a remarkable Lion as the Tail Twister, Lion Bob Bower. He has been outstanding as a fun-giving Tail Twister. He and his wife, Ann, have moved to Red Oak, Texas and will be missed tremendously. Good luck, Lion Bob and Ann Bower. Lion Bob and Ann were also the Queen Contest chairpersons.
     Governor Joyce Downie went to the Lions International Convention, visited all the clubs in the District, attended the Council of Governor’s meetings and the USA/Canada Forum and had all her District Cabinet meetings and Convention. She ended her year by attending the State Convention in Waco on May 26^th and 27^th, 2005. While at the Convention, Governor Joyce had the honor of presenting PDG Ike Fitzgerald with the Texas Lions Hall of Fame medal. Governor Joyce was also presented with the President’s Leadership medal by PIP Brian Stephenson.
     Governor Joyce ended her year by installing new officers in several clubs in the District.
     We thank Governor Joyce for her commitment to District 2-A1 this past year.
                                                           
                                        Lion Dorothy Cook
                                                            Historian for 2004-2005

2005-2006  Lion Zac Gray of the Brady Lions Club was elected as the 47th District 2-A1 Governor at the District Convention held in San Angelo, Texas in June 2005. Lion Marshall Twombly of the San Angelo Downtown Lions Club was elected as Vice District Governor.  Lion Ira Moise of the Brady Lions Club was appointed as the District Secretary.  Lion Richard (Rick) Melcer was appointed as the District Treasurer. Miss Danielle Hamilton, sponsored by the Bangs Lions Club was elected as the District Queen.
     Governor Gray held his first cabinet meeting at Goldthwaite, Texas on July 22-23, 2005 at the Mills County Civic Center.  The meeting was attended by many Lions.  Special guests were DG Waldo Dalchau and VDG Villeneuve from District 2-S5. There was a training session with VDG Villeneuve and VDG Marshall Twombly conducting sessions for Presidents and Vice Presidents.  DG Dalchau worked with the Zone Chairmen and PDG Joyce Downie worked with the Secretaries and Treasurers.
     Gov. Gray said the District 2-A1 Contest for the Diabetic Essay, Drug Awareness, and Outstanding Youth will be held at the Mid-Winter Convention at Brady in April.
     The membership goals for 2005-06 are to have at least one more member per club than last year.
     The 2005-06 Queen is Danielle Hamilton of the Bangs lions Club.  There were 15 PDGs attending this cabinet meeting, including PDG/PIP Everett (Ebb) Grindstaff.
     Lion Bridgett Rogers made an announcement that on June 18, 2005, Governor Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 24 into law that the Eye Bank has a donor registration bank.  Records will be sent to the donor bank in Houston for a permanent record to be available when anyone becomes deceased and wishes their eyes, tissues, or organs to be donated.  This replaces the donor card in back of your driver's license.
     Committee reports were given by several Lions.  Among these were reports from LCIF Chairperson Joyce Downie stating that $12,000,000 had been raised for the Tsunami relief.   Also,  a report from PDG john Hancock stated our need to go to the International Convention scheduled for 2006 in New Orleans in order to support Jimmy Ross for International President. 
     The next Cabinet Meeting will be held in Sonora, Texas, October 14-15, 2005.
                                                                  
                                                                  2nd Cabinet Meeting
     The October Cabinet Meeting held in Sonora, Texas on the weekend of the 14th and 15th.  The attendance was very light, but the meeting went well.  The Friday evening fish-fry was very good.  Speakers for the meeting were PDG Aubrey and Francis Cherry from El Paso, who spoke on membership and Retention.
     Lion Randy Richards presented several Lions with Lions World Services for the Blind Certificates.  A new constitution is being written by PDG Jim Wilks, and will be ready for the Mid-Winter Conference to be held in Midland, Texas, january 20-21, 2006.
     It was announced that 7 clubs had not paid their dues so far this year.
     The Lions International Convention will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 3--July 4, 2006 instead of New Orleans, due to Hurricane Katrina.  There will be an International Reception for First International Vice President Jimmy M. Ross.
     PDG Sabino Garcia gave an informative report on the Acuna Eye Clinic.  He said an anonymous individual had donated $15,000.00 to the clinic to complete the building.  It is to be finished in February 2006.
     Reports were given as follows:  PDG Virgil Polocek gave a report on the Texas Lions Foundation stating they had helped the Rowena Lions Club with their water works update on the city's rusting pipes, etc.
     The two tail twisters, Lion Debbie Bayer and Lion Debbie Riddle did a great job with auctions, door prizes, and fines.  They raised over $400.00.
     The attendance was small but the meeting was very good.
                                                                    
                                                                   Mid-Winter Conference
                                                          Midland, Texas, January 20-21, 2006
     The third Cabinet Meeting for the year 2005-2006 was held at the Downtown Lions Club building of Midland, with all their clubs participating , and with PDG Bob Edwards being the leader.
     On Friday evening, the registration began around 5:00 pm and a hamburger dinner was served at 6:00 pm.  Bingo was offered as the entertainment for the evening..  Breakfast with all the trimmings was served from 7:00 am to 9:00 am on Saturday, January 21st.
     Governor Zac Gray opened his Cabinet Meeting at 9:00 am with a prayer by PDG Paul Palmer and the Pledge by PDG Joan Caldwell.  Next, a song was led by PDG Al Owens.
     The meeting was well attended.  Reports were given by most of the Cabinet members.  Some of the highlights were:  PDG Al Owens reported that the Acuna Clinic in Mexico will open the second floor on March 4th.  Also, there were many checks sent in as memorials to PDG Sabino Garcia who passed away.  PDG Melvin Felch reported that LCIF gave thousands of dollars to the (Gulf coastal) hurricane victims.  Lake Brownwood gave $10 thousand in gift cards for this and also gave to the people burned out from wild fires (in Central Texas).
     Lion Tom Mills stated they need more used glasses and hearing aids.  Lion Bridgett Rogers said the Eye Bank is in the black and had no citations from FDA inspections.
     The following resolutions were read:  VDG: Marshall Twombly read a resolution to nominate Lion James Price of the Kingsland lions Club  for Vice District Governor for 2006-07; Lion Al Owens will be voted on at the Brady Lions Convention in April 2006 for Director for 3 years for the Acuna Clinic; and Lion Ray Landry will be voted on for Camp Director for the South position for 2006-08.  Also, there will be a vote on the District Constitution By-laws.
     Lunch was served and then the speaker for the day was Council Chairman C. Lee Smith of Clyde, Texas.
     Governor Zac Gray has a new plan to help gain new members in the district.  Each member who gets a new member will receive an entry for prizes given by the district (from the budget).  These prizes are:  1st place - $300.00; 2nd place - $100.00;  3rd place - $60.00, 4th place - $40.00, 5th place through 10th place - 10 gallons of gasoline from Town & Country Convenience Stores. This runs from February 1st to June 30th, 2006.  To get your name in the pot, you must bring in a new member.  For each new member, you get another entry.  A drawing will be held for winners.

                                                             District 2-A1 Convention - 2006
     The District Convention was held in Brady, Texas on April 21st and 22nd, and was sponsored by the Brady Lions Club in the 1st Baptist Church Family Life Center.
     Friday evening, the Lions were entertained by a wonderful fish-fry with all the trimmings and a live band called the Hamiltones from Hamilton, Texas.
     Saturday morning at 7:00 am, we had the Key Member Breakfast, which was well attended.  Lion Carol Bullen was the speaker.  Lion Carol is out of Dallas and a spokesperson for the southern and southwestern USA for Sight First II.  Lions International has asked all Lions to donate, again, for preventable blindness in our third world countries.  River blindness can be prevented if drops are given to children early and much of the money will go for drops.
     The Necrology Service was most impressive as the deceased Lions for 2005-06 were honored with a candle lit for each of the 34 Lions that had passed on.  The Reverends Charles and Shirley Smith of Brady, who have served as chaplains for the district, were the speakers.  Beautiful music was given by Concise Patterson, wife of Lion Billy Patterson.  This was held in the 1st Baptist Church.
     The Cabinet Meeting started at 9:00 am with various business reports and minutes passed out to all.  PDG Paul Palmer, Membership Chairman, said we are minus 12 members, but it could be worse.  To catch up, he urged all members to get a new member.
     The noon meal was served, and the young Women's Scholarship Pageant was held.  (This used to be called the Queen's Contest).  The judges for this event were Marsha Neal, James Stewart, and Wendy Ellis; all non=Lions.  The Master of Ceremonies was Mark Magee.  The winner of the contest was Bethany Sample, representing the Midland Downtown Lions.  The 1st runner-up was Brenda Kay Truett from the East Angelo Lions of San Angelo.  The award for Bethany was a $500.00 scholarship, and Brenda Kay received a $250.00 scholarship.
     PID Scott Rennels was the guest speaker for the banquet on Saturday evening.  He gave Lions Certificates of Appreciation to four Lions:  Cabinet Secretary Ira Moise; Treasurer Rick Melcer; Newsletter and Website Editor Ron Downie and Convention Chairperson Bobbie Williams.
     Results of the voting were:  Vice District Governor Marshall Twombly was elected as District Governor for 2006-07; Lion James Price of Kingsland Lions elected as Vice District Governor 2006-07; Lion Brigitte Rogers and Joe Payne elected to the Eye Bank Board; Lion Elizabeth Garcia and PDG Al Owen were elected to the Acuna Clinic Board; and Lion Roy Landry was elected as Camp Director, South.
     The new District Constitution and By-Laws passed overwhelmingly. The State Resolution concerning Texas Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center will be determined at the State Convention in Abilene, Texas.
     District Governor Zac Gray did a great job as the District Governor and was loved by all.
                                                                                            
2006-2007  Lion Marshall Twombly of the San Angelo Lions Club was elected as the 48th District 2-A1 Governor at the District Convention in San Angelo, Texas in June 2006.  Lion James Price of the Kingsland Lions Club was elected as Vice District Governor.  Lion Lyleann McClellan-Thee was appointed as District Secretary and Lion Sandra Cox was appointed as District Treasurer.