[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 14, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF COLLIN COUNTY ON THEIR 50TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. VAN TAYLOR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2019

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, in October 1968, the ``Boys Club of 
McKinney'' under the leadership of Mr. Henry L. Shoap, was created to 
assist young men in developing the skills, attitudes, and aptitudes to 
make successful decisions in life. In April 1969, after receiving 
incorporation from the national organization, the Club would officially 
open its doors on the historic McKinney Square.
   A decade later, girls would be admitted to the organization. 
However, it would take another seven years for the Club to officially 
change its name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of McKinney. In time, the 
Club came to be a popular destination for kids from around Collin 
County to assemble in a safe and fun learning environment.
   In 1988, in order to expand their area of service, the Club would 
officially change its name one final time to Boys & Girls Club of 
Collin County. Similar to its inception fifty years ago, the mission 
remains largely the same: To enable all young people, especially those 
most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and 
responsible individuals.
   The Boys & Girls Club of Collin County provides a valuable service--
and sometimes the only option--to those children needing a place to go 
after school. Today, over 10,000 Collin County children and teens are 
regularly served by locations in McKinney, Plano, and Frisco. Kids who 
attend the Club are afforded a variety of programs and activities that 
assist in allowing them to meet key areas of development while gaining 
independence and learning tools to become productive members of their 
community.
   For this reason, I am proud to congratulate Boys & Girls Club of 
Collin County on their 50th anniversary of service to a grateful 
community. Under the leadership of so many selfless individuals, 
including current CEO E. Michael Simpson, your dedicated team of 
leaders has worked to ensure that those who would most benefit from the 
services provided by your organization are allowed to thrive in a safe 
and nurturing environment.
   Madam Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
this tremendous organization for improving the lives of countless 
children over the past five decades while growing our next generation 
of community leaders.

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