IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 172

Recognizing and honoring the Young Men’s Christian Association on the

occasion of its 150th anniversary in the United States.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 25, 2001

Mrs. MORELLA (for herself and Mr. PAYNE) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and

the Workforce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing and honoring the Young Men’s Christian Association on the occasion of its 150th anniversary in the

United States.

Whereas 2001 is the 150th anniversary of the Young Men’s

Christian Association (commonly referred to as the

YMCA) in the United States;

Whereas YMCAs have touched the lives of virtually all people

in the United States by pioneering various activities, including camping, public libraries, night schools, group

swimming lessons and lifesaving, and teaching English as

a second language;

Whereas YMCAs are dedicated to building strong kids,

strong families, and strong communities;
2

•HCON 172 IH

Whereas YMCAs serve people of all ages, genders, incomes,

and abilities through a wide variety of services designed

to meet changing community and societal needs;

Whereas every day the more than 2,400 YMCAs in the

United States live their mission through programs that

build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all;

Whereas the YMCA invented the sports of basketball and

volleyball;

Whereas YMCAs are collectively one of the largest providers

of social services to the Nation’s families and communities, and YMCA programs serve nearly 9,000,000 children in the United States each year;

Whereas YMCAs are collectively the Nation’s largest child

care provider, and YMCA programs serve 1 in 10 teenagers in the United States and incorporate the values of

caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility;

Whereas YMCAs serve nearly 18,000,000 people each year in

the United States, and each YMCA is volunteer-founded,

volunteer-based, and volunteer-led;

Whereas YMCAs have a long history of partnerships with

other community organizations, including schools, hospitals, police departments, juvenile courts, and housing

authorities;

Whereas YMCAs have provided war relief services since the

Civil War, aiding millions of soldiers at home and abroad;

Whereas YMCA programs inspire a spirit of adventure and

challenge individuals to learn new skills, try new activities, and explore other cultures, while being good citizens

of their communities;

Whereas Father’s Day began in the YMCA;
3

•HCON 172 IH

Whereas many organizations began at YMCAs, including the

Boy Scouts of America, the Camp Fire Girls, the Negro

National Baseball League, the Gideons, the Toastmasters, and the Association for the Study of Negro Life

and History;

Whereas YMCAs helped found the United Service Organization;

Whereas the Peace Corps was patterned on a YMCA program; and

Whereas YMCAs will continue to provide vital services for the

communities of the United States and serve as a force for

hope for many years: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) honors the Young Men’s Christian Associa4 tion (commonly referred to as the YMCA) for 150

5 years of building strong kids, strong families, and

6 strong communities in the United States;

7 (2) requests the President to issue a proclama8 tion honoring the YMCA for its positive impact in

9 the United States during the past 150 years; and

10 (3) expresses support for the continued good

11 work of the YMCA during the next 150 years.

Æ