[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ON THE 96TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE A.J. McCLUNG YMCA CHAPTER COLUMBUS, GA

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                            HON. MAC COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 5, 1997

  Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 21, 1997, the citizens 
of Columbus, GA will celebrate 96 years of service provided by the A.J. 
McClung Chapter of the Young Men's Christian Association. They will 
gather to honor an institution that was founded in 1901 and is 
recognized as the oldest serving minority YMCA in the Nation. Also, 
they will honor the man for which it was later named--Arthur J. 
McClung, mayor pro tem, city Columbus and the longest serving director 
of the branch.
  This is an institution rich in history. Originally known as the Ninth 
Street Branch YMCA, it was founded through the efforts of a small 
prayer group led by Mr. W.E. Clark, Mr. S.W. Yarbrough, Prof. S.R. 
Marshall, and Dr. R.H. Cobb. Professor Marshall and Dr. Cobb both 
served terms as chairman of the board of management during its early 
years. The variety of activities and the number of boys and young men 
served rapidly outgrew the original small frame building on Ninth 
Street.
  In 1907, two prominent Columbus brothers, George Foster Peabody and 
Royal Canfield Peabody, provided the funds to build a then-modern 
facility that included a dormitory, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, 
game room, cafeteria, and office space. In 1925 the Army and Navy YMCA 
of Fort Benning and local citizens contributed funds to make additional 
improvements to the facility. Mr. Booker T. Washington was the guest 
speaker at the dedication which also featured renowned soloist Gertrude 
``Ma'' Rainey.
  After many years of service to the community, the Ninth Street YMCA 
Branch was destroyed when the roof collapsed from a rare Columbus snow 
storm. While a new facility was being built, Dr. S.P. Charleston 
generously provided a building he owned on Shepherd Drive to continue 
the mission of service provided by the YMCA.
  On Sunday, November 21, 1965, the new facility was dedicated as the 
Brookhaven Boulevard Branch YMCA. In 1978 the facility was renamed in 
honor of Arthur J. McClung who provided years of leadership and service 
to the YMCA and the community as a whole. In 1986, the board of 
managers elected to become an independent association known as the A.J. 
McClung Young Men's Christian Association, Inc.
  There have been many changes throughout the years--facilities, 
locations, programs, board members and executive directors--but the 
primary mission and purpose of the A.J. McClung YMCA has remained 
constant. And that is to improve the quality of life of all people. In 
addition to its exercise and recreational facilities, the A.J. McClung 
YMCA provides programs seeking to prevent heart disease, juvenile 
delinquency, substance abuse, AIDS, school dropouts, and youth 
unemployment. The institution also promotes positive attitudes and 
values among young people.
  The citizens of Columbus and Fort Benning, GA and Phenix City, AL 
have given generously of their time and energies to the A.J. McClung 
YMCA over its 96 year history. I would like to recognize the fine men 
who have served as chairman of the board of management. They include: 
Dr. E.H. Mayer, 1901-02; Prof. S.R. Marshall, 1903-04; Dr. R.H. Cobb, 
1905-09; Dr. E.J. Turner 1909-12; Prof. M.H. Spencer 1912-14; Dr. R.H. 
Cobb, 1914-22; Dr. M.L. Taylor, 1922-25; Dr. E.J. Turner, 1925-26; Dr. 
R.H. Cobb, 1926-30; Dr. F. Coffee, 1930-32; Prof. F.R. Lampkin, 1939-
45; Mr. M.R. Ashworth, 1945-52; Mr. Steve Knight, 1952-53; Mr. Sandy D. 
Allen, 1953-60; Atty. Albert W. Thompson, 1961-69; Mr. Samuel Byrd, 
1970-71; Mr. Lorenzo Manns, 1972-80; Dr. Henry L. Cook, 1981-83; Mr. 
Robert L. Anderson, 1984-87; Mr. Scott Wise, 1987-89; Mr. Spurgeon A. 
Glenn, Jr., 1989-90; Mr. Robert L. Anderson, 1990-92; Mr. James Walker, 
1992-present.
  I also want to recognize those fine individuals who have served as 
director of the institution. They include A.Z. Kelsey, A.G. Randall, 
Joseph Allen, T.B. Neely, R.D. Kelsey, G.F. Rivers, J.L. Johnson, Henry 
Byrd, H.R. Williams, Joseph Rholta, L.J. Johnson, K.D. Reddick, H.R. 
Williams, O.R. Bryant, E.E. Farley, D.D. Moody, Theodore Rutherford, 
G.F. Rivers, W.S. Douglass, W.R. Bennett, Jr., Arthur J. McClung, 
W.T.L. Vann, Wane A. Hailes, and Ira Flowers, the present director.
  Mr. Speaker, I join in congratulating the A.J. McClung Young Men's 
Christian Association Chapter on its 96 years of service to the 
communities of Columbus, Fort Benning, and Phenix City. Also, I salute 
the dedication and contributions of Mayor Pro Tem Arthur J. McClung to 
the citizens of Columbus and the YMCA named in his honor. I wish them 
all the best in the years to come.

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