[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF GARY SCHLANSKER, CEO OF THE GREENVILLE YMCA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM DeMINT

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, today I take privilege in honoring Gary 
Schlansker's 11 years as the President of the Greenville YMCA. Gary has 
recently accepted the position as the President of the Greater St. 
Louis YMCA, the 8th largest YMCA system in the country. Gary started 
his relationship with the YMCA back in 1956 when he was first enrolled 
in a YMCA program in St. Louis. Gary has indicated that the St. Louis 
position is the only job that would take him out of Greenville, as Gary 
grew up in St. Louis and has family in the Show Me State.
  The Greenville YMCA has been a model of stability and success for the 
YMCA system. Since the founding of the Greenville YMCA in 1876, only 
six people have served as President of the Greenville YMCA.
  During Gary's 11 years at the Greenville YMCA, the annual operating 
budget increased from $4 million annually to in excess of $10 million 
annually. The Greenville YMCA grew from five branches serving 35,000 
community members annually to seven branches with three additional 
outreach centers serving a total of 55,000 people annually. The annual 
scholarships campaign increased by over 200 percent and collaborations 
with the greater community now number in excess of 85 annually. Program 
highlights for the Greenville YMCA include Camp Greenville, Youth in 
Government, and outreach services through schools and churches. The 
Youth in Government program of South Carolina is sponsored exclusively 
through the Greenville YMCA, and is one of the most successful Youth in 
Government state programs in the country.
  Gary's stewardship of the Greenville YMCA is accurately reflected by 
the tremendous growth and success of the Greenville YMCA. Not only is 
the growth of the Greenville YMCA impressive, but very importantly the 
kind and caring manner that Gary has conducted himself on a daily basis 
will be greatly missed by those who he has served in the Greenville 
area.
  I sincerely wish Gary all the best for a nice start to his new job 
leading the St. Louis YMCA, as they are getting a wonderful workhorse 
of a leader to guide their YMCA. Thank you Gary for your 11 great years 
in Greenville, and we will miss you.

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