[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E109-E110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MORRIS CENTER YMCA, COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW 
                                 JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 1999

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 125th 
Anniversary of the Morris Center YMCA, of Morris County, New Jersey.
  Since January 2, 1874, the Morris Center YMCA has provided programs 
essential to the people of Morris County. The 172 founding members 
first gathered in meeting rooms located in the Old Post Office in 
Morristown. In 1889, the Board of Directors dedicated a new building 
which included a gymnasium, classrooms, bowling alleys and a game room. 
A second building was dedicated in 1912 which included a wing 
exclusively for women. By 1968, however, it become clear that a new 
building was needed and plans were made to begin construction.
  On March 1, 1981, the grand opening of the newly completed Morris 
Center YMCA took place. The Center featured a 25 meter swimming pool, 
gymnasium, track, racquetball courts, weight rooms and a fitness 
center. Over the years renovations have been made to the building, 
bringing many more programs to people of all ages in Morris County. In 
1985, the Center added an in-house After School Care program. Later, in 
1988, the Center added the Y's Owl Care Child Center which provides 
care to approxmately 130 children each day.
  The Owl program received national accreditation by the National 
Association for the Education of Young Children. Building on the 
reputation of the Y's Owl Child Care Center, the Morris Center YMCA was 
selected to create and manage the child care center of the Morristown 
Memorial Hospital, and opened the Children's Corner in the late fall of 
1996.
  The Center currently has over 400 volunteer members comprising the 
Board of Directors, all of its committees and program leaders. These 
volunteers are the heart of the Morris Center YMCA, working in all 
aspects of the organization. In short, the Center is people caring for 
people, not just buildings and equipment.
  Mr. Speaker, for the past 125 years, the Morris Center YMCA has 
provided the citizens of Morris County with programs that benefit all 
those who participate. I ask that you and my

[[Page E110]]

colleagues join me in congratulating all past and present members of 
the Morris Center YMCA on this special anniversary year.

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