[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 98 (Thursday, June 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE YOUNG MEN'S AND YOUNG WOMEN'S HEBREW ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2017

  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Young Men's 
& Young Women's Hebrew Association (YM&YWHA)--colloquially known as the 
``Y''--of Washington Heights and Inwood. On this agency's centennial 
anniversary, I want to highlight the indelible impact this institution 
has impressed upon our children and adults in our community of all 
backgrounds over several generations in New York's 13th district.
  Since its founding in 1917 the mission of the ``Y'' has never 
wavered. The tradition of tikkun olam--literally ``repairing the 
world''--has been exemplified by the ``Y'' in its acts of kindness and 
community service. Staff and lifelong volunteers have always looked to 
their neighbors to evaluate the most pressing needs and find out the 
best way to serve the needs of the community. Over the last century, 
Washington Heights & Inwood has seen multiple changes to its 
composition and outward face. Each year, a group of Jewish and 
Dominican students work together to study the history of the Dominican 
Republic's immigration policies prior to WWII, making the country one 
of a few safe harbors for Jews fortunate enough to escape Germany.
  What binds these diverse populations to New York's 13th district is 
the ``Y'' embracing the mantle ofthe Mother of Exiles as Emma Lazarus 
wrote in The New Collossus. In its early years, the ``Y'' dealt with 
the aftermath of World War I and World War II resettling refugees from 
abroad here in our community. During the 1970s, the ``Y'' aided Jewish 
refugees from Russia with the same urgency and compassion afforded 
earlier in the century. This is emblematic of its mission to meet the 
needs of the time and people which has never wavered.
  Over the last 100 years that has included providing access to social 
services; offering English classes and citizenship tutoring; assisting 
those with mental health concerns; launching the first day camp for 
neighborhood children; developing a thriving nursery school; opening a 
center for new parents; building a 100-unit independent living facility 
for older adults and the mobility impaired and providing services to 
support older adults to age in place.
  Today, the ``Y'' has embraced the diverse and multicultural tableau 
of New York's 13th district. All staff are trained in cultural 
diversity and services all offered in English, Spanish, and Russian. 
The commitment of the ``Y'' remains steadfast by expanding its after 
school program, senior center services, and establishment of a new Camp 
Twelve Trails program. Over the last century, the ``Y'' has continued 
to innovate and serve the needs of New York's 13th district.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to celebrate and commemorate the centennial 
anniversary of the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood. I 
sincerely hope that all Members of Congress will have the benefit of 
such an institution to one day laud and commemorate 100 years of 
service as I do today.

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