[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING YMCA YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAM

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                       HON. DONALD M. PAYNE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2019

  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I proudly honor the YMCA Youth and 
Government Program. Over the past 80 years, the YMCA Youth and 
Government Program has paved the way in creating the next generation of 
actively engaged leaders.
  The national program invites young people from across the United 
States to participate in state-organized and model-government programs 
where they can participate in volunteering activities and get early 
exposure to practice governance and democracy. The program also 
provides the tools and resources to support all youth development 
through holistic programming. This program has played a crucial role in 
using the YMCA core values to cultivate a new generation of leaders.
  My father, the late Donald M. Payne, was the first African American 
president of the National Council of YMCAs. He believed in the YMCA's 
mission to support our country's youth through mentorship 
opportunities. As someone who has participated in the YMCA Youth and 
Government Program, I actively support its mission of empowering young 
leaders to not only be active in their community, but also reshape the 
world.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the YMCA 
Youth and Government Program.

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