[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 106 (Thursday, June 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE OFFICIAL DEDICATION OF THE BETTY J. PULLUM FAMILY YMCA 
                               IN NAVARRE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2007

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today to recognize the 
dedication of the Betty J. Pullum Family YMCA in Navarre, Florida.
  This celebrated facility is named in remembrance of a tireless leader 
who devoted herself to improving her community and who saw the good in 
everyone. Ms. Betty J. Pullum was known to her family as ``Big Deal.'' 
It was her vision and desire to give back to the Navarre community that 
has made it the close-knit community that it is today. Because of her 
generosity, it is only fitting that the Navarre YMCA is named in honor 
of her.
  On August 19, 2006, the newly constructed Betty J. Pullum Family YMCA 
building opened to serve the community of Navarre, Florida. The state-
of-the art facility was conceived by Bart Pullum, President of the 
Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. As a Navarre native he believed 
that the youth of Navarre needed a YMCA of their own where they could 
come together to have fun in a safe environment.
  He brought the idea to his friend Henry Loper and they presented it 
to the directors of the Pensacola YMCA. It was there that the project 
grew. Bill and Jeannie Pullum donated the land for the project and the 
Bill and Martha Pullum Family Foundation donated a lead gift of half a 
million dollars. The rest of the fundraising was organized by groups 
and individuals in the community who loved the idea of having a family-
oriented facility that promotes active and healthy lifestyles.
  The Betty J. Pullum Family YMCA is the perfect place for a family to 
balance a healthy lifestyle with fun and games. All the exercise 
equipment is new and free fitness assessments and personalized exercise 
programs are offered. There are also gymnasiums for shooting hoops and 
a children's playroom that allows parents to exercise while children 
are supervised by the attentive staff. The YMCA also offers classes 
such as aerobic kickboxing and kids' cardio for children ages 3-6 to 
make a healthy and active lifestyle a lifelong habit. The biggest draw 
for children is the outdoor pool which features lanes for lap swimming, 
water slides and a wading section for small children featuring baby 
slides and fountains.
  The Navarre YMCA has about 700 membership units, which represents 
about 1,600 individuals. Now that we are into the heat of summer, the 
Navarre YMCA is expecting its membership to grow. This facility will 
allow families to build healthy lifestyles together and have fun at the 
same time. It is a safe place for children to play and is an enormous 
benefit to the community of Navarre, Florida.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to 
recognize the dedication of the Betty J. Pullum Family YMCA in Navarre, 
Florida.

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