[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF JIM THOMAS, RECIPIENT OF THE 2019 COMMUNITY SERVICE 
           AWARD FROM THE LUZERNE COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 2019

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Wilkes-Barre 
Family YMCA Executive Director Jim Thomas. Jim received the 2019 
Community Service Award from the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame at 
the 35th annual dinner on August 11, 2019 for his leadership and 
service to the greater Wilkes-Barre area.
  Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who 
have brought fame and recognition to the state of Pennsylvania through 
their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic endeavors.
  Throughout his career, Jim has been dedicated to serving the Luzerne 
County community in a variety of roles. Following graduation from the 
Pennsylvania State University, University Park with a Bachelor of 
Science in Parks and Recreation, Jim immediately put his knowledge to 
action by serving as the Seasonal YMCA Summer Camp Director for Camp 
Kresge in White Haven, Pennsylvania. Later, Jim became the Wilkes-Barre 
Family YMCA Youth Director. He established a local indoor premier 
soccer program with more than two-thousand participants, while also 
working with the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources to start 
a YMCA program located in a state park.
  From June 1986 to April 1994, Jim served as the Wilkes-Barre YMCA 
Program Executive, where he was responsible for membership and program 
development. Since May 1994, Jim has served as the Wilkes-Barre Family 
YMCA Executive Director, successfully spearheading numerous campaigns 
and raising millions of dollars to improve facilities of the Wilkes-
Barre YMCA and to offer access opportunities to low income families. He 
also led effort to construct five new facilities at Camp Kresge and 
rebuild existing infrastructure to improve the camp for future 
generations.
  Jim is also a member of numerous associations and societies, 
including the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society, the 
Pennsylvania State University Recreation and Parks Society, the Kiwanis 
Club of Wilkes-Barre, the Riverfront Parks Association, the Downtown 
Business Association, and the State Public Policy Committee.
  It is an honor to join with the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 
recognizing Jim's lifetime of effort. May his hard work and dedication 
to the community continue to have a lasting impact on the greater 
Wilkes-Barre area.

                          ____________________