[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING 115 YEARS OF HISTORY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 15, 2004

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the West Morris 
Area YMCA, in Randolph Township, Morris County, New Jersey, a vibrant 
community I am proud to represent! On September 17, 2004, the good 
citizens of Randolph and neighboring municipalities are celebrating the 
West Morris Area YMCA's One-Hundred-Fifteenth Anniversary.
  One hundred and fifteen years ago, the West Morris Area YMCA was 
founded in the town of Dover. The year 1889 was the beginning of a YMCA 
that established itself today as one of the area's distinguished 
community organizations.
  The First Methodist Episcopal Church in Dover was home of the first 
YMCA. Known then as the YMCA of Dover, The ``Y'' soon attracted nearly 
200 of the area's youth per day.
  In 1908, the YMCA expanded beyond Dover to include Succasunna, 
Wharton, Whippany, Rockaway, Chester, and German Valley, now Long 
Valley. For the next four decades the Y maintained its popularity, 
occupying various locations on or near Blackwell Street in Dover.
  As membership continued to grow, after World War II, there was a need 
for a more permanent facility. In 1951 the YMCA headquarters on Route 
46 at the corner of North Bergen Street was dedicated.
  By the late 1970's the need for a building, which offered a gymnasium 
and a pool, was becoming evident. Expansion of the Dover building was 
possible but parking was a problem as the Y began to attract more and 
more participants from the growing residential areas outside of Dover, 
including Randolph Township.
  In 1976, the name West Morris Area YMCA was established to reflect 
this expanding service area and ground was broken for a new facility on 
Dover Chester Road in Randolph in 1977. The brand new YMCA, offering a 
pool, gymnasium, fitness equipment, racquetball courts and program 
space was officially opened in 1979.
  The YMCA is dedicated to helping all people, regardless of age, race, 
religion, sex, or economic status to reach their fullest potential. It 
is with great pride we all look upon the volunteers and staff of the 
past and present that are the true strength of this remarkable 
organization.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating West Morris Area YMCA on the celebration of its one-
hundred-fifteen years serving the western part of the Morris County!

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