Four area Illinois State Knights of Columbus council's from District 76 have been recognized as award winners for outstanding programs during the 2006-2007 fraternal year. The announcement was made at the Knights of Columbus headquarters in New Haven, Conn.
Knights of Columbus Tri-Cities Council 1098 of Granite City, St. Cecilia Council 13216 of Glen Carbon, the Joseph C. Zajicek Council 6625 of Maryville and Troy Council 9266 were all winners of the Supreme Council Star Council Award. The Star Council Award is the highest award presented to Knights of Columbus Councils, recognizing membership's achievement in the areas of recruitment and retention, fraternal insurance promotion and the program areas of church, family, youth, community and council. Accepting the awards for their respective council's were Immediate Past Grand Knights Rick Tutka, Council 13216, and Ted Dressel of Council 6625 as well as current Grand Knights David Cruse, Council 1098, and John Hopkins of Troy.
In addition, because of its cumulative efforts, District 76 was named an All-Star Council District for the fraternal year. District Deputy Walter Jones of Glen Carbon, said that this is a "very rare achievement among districts" and that the accomplishment sends a strong message of how successful the area Knights of Columbus are in promoting Columbianism and conducting area charitable activities.
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson in a letter recognizing the local winners said, "Please accept my sincere congratulations upon attaining these prestigious awards. The dedication to the principles and aims of the order shown by your officers and members is exemplified by the high standard of excellence you have achieved. At the same time, I encourage you to carry forward this enthusiasm to meet the challenges that will face the Knights of Columbus in the years ahead. May this award be a reminder and an inspiration to the members of your councils to continue to promote the ideals of Columbianism for the good of the church, your community, and the order."
All of the honored councils are active in supporting local public and parochial school programs; food and clothing pantry drives, Special Olympics programs as well as other community and church efforts.