[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING LIONVILLE YOUTH ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 2010

  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lionville Youth 
Association as it celebrates 40 years of providing excellent 
recreational opportunities and sports programs to boys and girls in 
Chester County, Pennsylvania.
  The Association has come a long way since its inception in 1970 when 
it developed playing fields on two, pie-shaped parcels along Devon 
Drive in an era when backstops were made of chicken wire and the snow 
fences served as outfield walls. Last year, more than 1,600 children 
participated in sports leagues organized by the Association and 
competed on well-groomed playing fields with dugouts, electronic 
scoreboards and press boxes. Countless youth teams have celebrated 
championships earned while playing on one of the athletic fields 
faithfully maintained by the Association. More importantly, the 
Association has afforded boys and girls a chance to learn valuable 
lessons in team work, hard work and perseverance that will benefit them 
long after they leave the playing field.
  The Association's tremendous success and increased participation in 
youth sports can be attributed to the 550 volunteers who generously 
give 180,000 hours each year to serve as coaches, umpires, referees, 
concession stand workers, league officials and in various other roles.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in 
congratulating the Lionville Youth Association as it commemorates this 
very special milestone and offering best wishes for continued success 
in enriching the lives of our youth and strengthening the bonds within 
our community.

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