[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 163 (Tuesday, October 2, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       160TH ANNIVERSARY OF YWCA

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate the YWCA for its 
dedication to supporting women, girls, and their families in honor of 
the organization's 160th anniversary.
  YWCA is one of the oldest, largest, and most inclusive organizations 
in our Nation, and it has maintained a long history of distinguished 
service. The organization has been the forefront at some of the most 
important social movements of our time, from civil rights and women's 
equality, to healthcare reform and gender-based violence prevention.
  Nationwide, YWCA has 210 local associations across 47 States and the 
District of Columbia that help to empower 2 million women, girls, and 
their families each year. In my home State of Washington, there are 11 
YWCA local associations, all of which have been proudly serving women 
and girls for over 60 years. These YWCAs protect and empower hundreds 
of thousands of Washingtonian women and children each year, and I am 
grateful for their work.
  YWCA is the largest network of domestic violence service providers in 
our Nation and provides critical services to more than half a million 
women and girls each year, including support programs for survivors of 
sexual assault and domestic violence. Now, more than ever, this is 
vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of survivors across the 
country. Additionally, YWCA associations offer economic empowerment 
programs that engage over 260,000 women and racial justice education 
and training programs that engage over 160,000 people.
  I stand today in strong support of YWCA's mission to eliminate 
racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, promote peace, help 
families, and strengthen local communities.
  I offer congratulations to YWCA on your 160 years of improving the 
lives of women and girls across the United States.
  Thank you.
  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate the YWCA for 
160 years of service dedicated to supporting women, girls, and their 
families across the United States.
  Throughout its storied history, YWCA has been committed to 
eliminating racism, empowering women, and freedom and dignity for all.
  YWCA has been at the forefront of many critical social movements, 
including civil rights, women's empowerment, gender-based violence 
prevention, and more. Additionally, it is the largest network of 
domestic violence and sexual assault service providers in the country, 
reaching more than half a million women and girls annually.
  Serving a total of more than 2 million women, girls, and their 
families each year, with 210 local associations across 46 States and 
the District of Columbia, this organization's impact is vast, but its 
focus is local.
  In Ohio, there are 14 YWCA associations, and I am proud of the work 
they do in my State. I have worked to help YWCA's important mission 
through my legislation to combat sex trafficking, help those gripped by 
addiction--particularly mothers and children--get the care they need, 
improve prisoner reentry, allow kids aging out of foster care to more 
easily access Federal support for housing, and more.
  YWCA breaks barriers and empowers women to help them live up to their 
God-given potential. Congratulations on your 160 years of improving the 
lives of women and girls--and on many more to come.

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