[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 194 (Monday, December 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1626-E1627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING AND CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ITHACA YMCA

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                             HON. TOM REED

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 10, 2018

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Ithaca Young Men's 
Christian Association for 150 years of service to the community.
  On November 23, 1868, a group of young men in Ithaca held a meeting 
in the Cornell Library. The basement of that library would become the 
first home of the Ithaca YMCA, consisting of a gymnasium, baths, 
parlor, reading room, and offices.
  Since that day 150 years ago, the Ithaca YMCA has remained dedicated 
to their mission to foster youth development, healthy living, and 
social responsibility. The Ithaca YMCA has a record of inclusivity, 
serving all young people in its community. In earlier years when other 
parts of the country lacked diversity, the Ithaca YMCA was able to 
boast that one out of every five members was a girl as compared to the 
national average of one in 15.
  Their engagement in the Ithaca community has been stalwart in 
developing character in local youths. The YMCA has been faced with 
adversity over its record of 150 years, confronted with low membership 
during war time and not one, but two devastating fires. Each time the 
YMCA has rebuilt and regrown membership, bringing the community of 
Ithaca and Tompkins County together.
  We applaud the longevity of the Ithaca YMCA and wish them future 
success as they continue to serve our local youth.
  Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its 
deliberations and join me in celebrating the YMCA for 150 years of 
dedicated service to the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County.

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