[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NEW YORK'S YMCA CELEBRATES ITS 150TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the YMCA of Greater New 
York in celebration of its rich and vital 150 year history.
  Throughout its history, the ``Y'', as many of us know it, has spanned 
three distinct historical periods. The first, from 1852-1902, is marked 
by a commitment to help newcomers to the city and the creation of 
programs of social change to help groups impacted by war, population 
shifts and industrial changes. The New York ``Association'' was 
staunchly abolitionist and formed a commission to minister to soldiers 
in camps and hospitals, and on the battlefields of the Civil War. After 
the War, new YMCA programs were started for African Americans, railroad 
workers and young boys from urban centers.
  From 1902-1952, the YMCA expanded its scope to all areas of public 
life and affairs, and women became members. Racial integration was 
attained nationally in the 1940s and much earlier in many New York City 
YMCA branches. The YMCA's expertise produced numerous vocational, 
skills training and job placement programs during these years.
  From 1952-2002, the YMCA focused aggressively on urban programs to 
help girls and boys, and their families, in the city. Programs were 
developed to deal with poverty, youth unemployment, delinquency and 
drug abuse, and many programs were put on wheels, such as Jobmobiles 
and Youthmobiles, in order to be located in the neighborhoods most in 
need. In New York City, during fiscal crises and national recessions, 
the YMCA maintained its firm commitment to the city through large-scale 
childcare and expanded family programs. A growing emphasis on physical 
fitness led to many new program offerings, such as aquatics, 
cardiovascular fitness and sports leagues, including two sports 
invented at the YMCA in the late 19th century--basketball and 
volleyball.
  In the past decade, the YMCA of Greater New York also has become a 
presence in nearly 200 public schools in every school district in the 
City. In partnership with the United Way and the New York City Board of 
Education, the Virtual Y currently enrolls 7,500 children and is 
expanding. Teen Action NYC, currently operates in five schools and 
provides academic support, life skills and career planning. Most 
recently following 9/11, the YMCA of Greater New York has developed 
programs in response and made its 20 branches available for a variety 
of community needs. In 2002, the YMCA of Greater New York serves 
170,000 youth and 200,000 adults.
  Throughout its 150 years, the YMCA of Greater New York has been a 
model of public/private partnerships with a close connection to the 
City's business and civic leadership. Early lay leaders, such as 
William E. Dodge Jr., J. Pierpont Morgan and Cornelius Vanderbilt II, 
were among the most prominent businessmen and philanthropists of their 
time. Former elected officials, such as Governor Thomas Dewey and Major 
John Lindsay, served on the YMCA board. Mayors David Dinkins, Rudolph 
Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg have all been proactive supporters of 
YMCA community centers and programs.
  The YMCA of Greater New York's fundraising efforts, including its 
Capital Campaign for Kids, are supported by hundreds of corporations 
and foundations that recognize the YMCA's major and continuing 
commitment to the youth and families of New York City. This support is 
led by the YMCA of Greater New York's 14 Corporate Champions: AT&T,/AXA 
Financial, Bloomberg, Con Edison, Credit Suisse/First Boston, Deloitte 
& Touche, Deutsche Bank, JPMorganChase, Merrill Lynch, Metropolitan 
Life Foundation, New York Life, Pfizer, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and UBS/
PaineWebber.
  Mr. Speaker, 150 years after the YMCA of Greater New York first came 
into existence it is now bigger and better than ever before. As such, I 
urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable 
organization on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary.

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