[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 153 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1863-E1864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE SOMERSET HILLS YMCA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 13, 2011

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Somerset 
Hills YMCA located in Bernards Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, 
which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
  From its modest beginning, first operating at the Dobb's Realty 
Building in Bernardsville and later at the Mill Street Firehouse, the 
Somerset Hills YMCA has been of great importance to its surrounding 
community. Within the first ten years of operation, the Somerset Hills 
YMCA already had 500 members and acquired a seventeen acre site to 
accommodate its growing membership.
  In the 1980s, the facility on Mt. Airy Road in the Basking Ridge 
section of Bernards Township was expanded to provide its members with a 
state of the art facility. It offers three pools, a large gym, a dance 
studio, a cafe and much more. The YMCA provides more than 200 programs 
annually, including wellness, fitness, programs for those with special 
needs, day care, active older adults programs, sports, dance, 
adventure-based activities for teens and corporations, specialized 
family activities and a variety of community service programs including 
Career Forum, Special Olympics and Saturdays in Motion. In 2010, it 
partnered with the National Inclusion Project to insure that even 
people with disabilities could engage in these many programs. The YMCA 
is truly a place where all members of the community, regardless of age 
or ability, can participate, work out and enjoy themselves.
  Since its opening, the Somerset Hills YMCA has had what they call, 
``a deep commitment to youth development, social responsibility, and 
health and well-being for all.'' Not only does this YMCA offer its 
programs to 22,000 people in the surrounding community, it also offers 
financial assistance to those who cannot afford membership.
  The Somerset Hills YMCA is dedicated to its motto, ``Strengthening 
the Foundations of the Community,'' and is committed to serving its 
neighbors. Most recently, in the wake of the devastation caused by 
Hurricane Irene, the Somerset Hills YMCA graciously opened its doors to 
those who lacked electricity and running water in the area, regardless 
if they were members or not. Its unwavering dedication to go above and 
beyond their mission is what makes this organization great. I am 
honored to have the Somerset Hills YMCA in my district as it is truly a 
place of public service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Somerset Hills YMCA as they celebrate 60 years of community 
service.

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