[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 160 (Thursday, October 2, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO CENTRAL COMMUNITY BRANCH OF THE YMCA

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                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2008

  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
wonderful community institution in my district, the Central Community 
Branch of YMCA Greater Worcester.
  For 144 years, the Central Community Branch of the YMCA of Central 
Massachusetts has worked to improve the lives of families in the 
Worcester community. The branch was established in 1864 to ``improve 
the spiritual and mental condition of young men.'' The organization 
moved into its current Main Street home in Worcester in 1918, when the 
building was constructed. Since 1918, the building has undergone three 
major renovations in 1959, 1983, and 2008.
  Currently, the newly renovated Main Street facility provides 
thousands of youth and adults with health and fitness programs, a range 
of classes, and sports leagues. The branch also offers the Worcester 
community an incredible diversity of programs in education, health, and 
fitness. Its Minority Achievers Program helps tutor high school 
children and guide them on the path to college. Its ``Schools Out'' 
programs provide hundreds of youth with safe after-school education and 
recreation programs. Its summer camps in Sutton and Boylston provide 
families with wonderful summer programming. Its Kids on the Go program 
teaches children aged 8-14 how to lead a healthy lifestyle with 
exercise and a balanced diet.
  On Thursday, October 2, 2008, the Central Community Branch of YMCA of 
Central Massachusetts celebrates its successful completion of the 
``Strength of the Team'' capital campaign and its renovations through a 
ribbon cutting ceremony. The organization has invested $5 million to 
improve the inner city beacon, allowing the community to be aware of 
its location. The renovation was driven by a successful capital 
campaign, which raised the largest gift to the branch in its entire 
history of $2.2 million from the George I. Alden trust. It also was the 
source of the largest individual gift of $500,000 from Gene DeFeudis. 
The wide support that this campaign received is tribute to the great 
work that the central branch does in the Greater Worcester community.
  Madam Speaker, I commend this wonderful organization that brings 
together people from all backgrounds, cultures and religions for the 
purpose of improving the mind, body and spirit of all. I congratulate 
the staff, members and supporters of the Central Community Branch of 
the YMCA of Central Massachusetts for their successful ``Strength of 
the Team'' capital campaign, and I know all of my colleagues join me in 
thanking them for their wonderful work.

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