WHEREAS, the first principle of the Knights of Columbus is Charity, the Order's greatest virtue and a catalyst for the charitable activities of its councils and members;

WHEREAS, the $130 million contributed to charity last year throughout the Order is remarkable in itself, many needs go unmet and many others are under funded, creating demands upon our fraternal society that grow to challenge us year after year; and

WHEREAS, the Order provides many wonderful programs, such as: The Bishop Thomas V. Daily Vocations Scholarship Fund that assists in the education of seminarians; the Francis B. Matthews and John E. Swift Educational Trust Fund that affords a Catholic college education to children of a fallen brother; the Christopher Fund that benefits state jurisdiction charities; all of which touch our hearts and call us to even greater benefaction among God's people; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has authorized development and implementation of a strategic plan to create a permanent endowment within Knights of Columbus Charities, enabling members and their families to voluntarily participate in the good works of the Order through tax-deductible donations; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the delegates assembled "United in Charity," at this 122nd meeting of the Supreme Council, in Dallas, Texas, August 3 – 5, 2004 enthusiastically affirm and ratify the action of the Board of Directors, and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Order's Board of Directors be given full authority to establish rules to administer this program.