[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 188 (Monday, December 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2531-E2532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH CENTER IN JOLIET, IL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 10, 2007

  Mr. WELLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Christian Youth Center in Joliet, IL. The Christian Youth Center, CYC, 
is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
  In 1957, a group of concerned businessmen under the leadership of Mr. 
Joseph Pickering,

[[Page E2532]]

approached Youth Pastor Chuck Miller with the idea of starting a 
Christian Youth Center. In the fall of 1957, the Christian Youth Center 
began meeting at the home of Mr. Joseph Pickering and then to a rented 
storefront on Cass Street near Joliet Central High School. Within a 
year's time, the club had outgrown the storefront and purchased a two-
story house on Herkimer Street. Mr. Miller felt called to another area 
of service and left the center. In 1961, Harv Russell assumed the 
responsibility of director of the Center.
  The organization realized tremendous growth in the following 9 years. 
Several programs were started which include a Tuesday 1 hour high 
school radio program, a monthly publication called the Center News, and 
the establishment of the Women's Auxiliary. All of these programs and 
more continue to function to this day.
  In the spring of 1972, ground was broken on a 5-acre tract of land to 
build the current Christian Youth Center. The new facility was opened 
on April 15, 1973. Since moving into the new facility, the center has 
been able to increase the staff to five full-time and five part-time 
employees. Thousands of young people have passed through the new 
facility and have participated in weekly activities, concerts, day 
camps, films and a host of activities established to attract young 
people.
  Madam Speaker, I urge this body to identify, and recognize other 
organizations in their own districts whose actions have so greatly 
benefited and strengthened America's families and communities.

                          ____________________