[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE 
                                MEADOWS

 Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I rise today to recognize a 
significant milestone for the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, a 
nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for infants, youth, and 
teens across northern Nevada for the last 50 years. Founded in 1976 as 
the Truckee Meadows Boys' Club with just one location in the center of 
town, BGCTM has grown to become a second home to nearly 14,500 youth in 
more than 55 locations across northern Nevada.
  During visits over the years, I have had the privilege of witnessing 
firsthand the club's dedication to not only providing a safe 
environment for kids to go before and after school and during school 
breaks, but also to creating an atmosphere encouraging growth and 
development beyond the traditional classroom setting.
  Originally introduced to the Reno-Sparks community as a place for 
boys to play organized sports, attend special events, receive tutoring, 
or join a leadership society, the club was created as a positive outlet 
for boys to direct their energy and promote the overall development of 
a young person. In 1983, the club officially expanded to welcome girls 
to the organization, and they formally became known as the Boys & Girls 
Club of Truckee Meadows.
  Over the years, BGCTM has continued to grow immensely in size, 
membership, and the number of activities offered to youth of all ages. 
Take for example the creation of BGCTM's first early learning center. 
Opened in 2008 to serve infants through age 5, it has since evolved 
into an array of nine early learning locations spread across northern 
Nevada.
  Another example is the growth of BGCTM's athletic programming serving 
youth of all skill levels, like the Reno Ballers Basketball Program, 
which first launched in 1996 and still operates today as a premier 
sports league for families searching for low-cost, high-quality skill 
development.
  In addition to introducing a wide variety of new programs and options 
for families over the last 50 years, BGCTM has never shied away from 
the challenge of serving children and families throughout every corner 
of our State. Pushing well beyond the boundaries of the Truckee 
Meadows, the club expanded services to our State's rural communities in 
2008 and has since grown to operate clubhouses and school sites 
throughout Fernley, Ely, Tonopah, Lovelock, and Winnemucca--in addition 
to the many sites across Washoe County.
  BGCTM also has a long history of going above and beyond to answer the 
call of families most in need in our region, serving up to 600,000 
meals to youth every year, providing upwards of 90,000 bus rides to 
club locations, delivering gifts and family meals during the holiday 
season, and never turning away a family for an inability to pay the 
membership fee. Furthermore, the club offers parenting classes to help 
foster healthy family structures, provides accessible mental health 
services to families and staff through their Bright Futures Wellness 
Center, creates in-house workforce training opportunities to help youth 
develop their employability skills, and even administers college 
scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Of course, this 
work isn't done alone, and BGCTM has an extensive track record of 
collaborating with partners across our community to further enrich the 
programs and family services they offer.
  This drive to serve our community is fueled by an incredibly 
dedicated staff across northern Nevada, spearheaded for nearly 31 years 
by Chief Executive Officer Mike Wurm who has been the catalyst for so 
much of the growth BGCTM has seen under his leadership. The club is 
also fortunate to benefit from a deeply involved board of directors and 
young leaders committee, regularly earning awards for their 100 percent 
giving status. For each of these reasons and more, BGCTM continues to 
serve as a model to Boys & Girls Clubs across the county, and I am 
grateful for their tireless work to support families across the Silver 
State.
  Enabling all young people to reach their full potential as 
productive, caring, and responsible citizens is certainly no small 
feat, but it is a mission BGCTM has always taken in stride. Even during 
the COVID-19 pandemic, the club remained open to support the children 
of essential workers and extended their daily hours, yet another 
example of BGCTM answering the call when our community needed them 
most. The club has cemented its legacy as an organization leading the 
charge on serving children and families across our region. I look 
forward to our continued work together, in addition to celebrating 
their achievements for many years to come.

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