[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 135 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ``FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE'' TO THE GREATER DUNDALK COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 1999

  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, on October 14, 1949, twenty-five members of 
the Dundalk community formed a new organization known as the Optimist 
Club of Dundalk, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Baltimore. They 
established their motto as ``Friend of the Boy'' and began to sponsor 
sports programs, oratorical contests, and archery programs in the 
schools to honor the male students that excelled in academics and 
athletics.
  In 1950, The Dundalk Optimist Foundation, Inc. was formed to ensure 
the planned and approved programs were financially assured, and to plan 
for the construction of a building they could call their own. Through 
the years, the club grew in size and effectiveness. The club became a 
Century Club in 1969, and earned the District Achievement Award for the 
first time. Over the years, the programs began serving girls and the 
motto was changed to ``Friends of Youth.'' In January of 1988, the 
Optimist Club membership voted to allow women to be eligible for 
membership, and the Club continued to expand and increase their 
outreach in the community. The dream of a building was realized in 
1995, with the opening of their Clubhouse at 4528 Northpoint Boulevard 
in Dundalk.
  Today, the Optimist Club of Dundalk, Inc. continues to provide 
wonderful opportunities for the community's youth to learn, grow, and 
excel both in academics and athletics. I commend this organization for 
these first fifty years of excellent and dedicated service, and I join 
in looking forward to the next fifty.

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