[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 12683-12685]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATING CAMP DUDLEY ON ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 300) congratulating Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, 
New York, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 300

       Whereas Camp Dudley YMCA (``Camp Dudley'') was founded in 
     1885 by Sumner F. Dudley, a YMCA volunteer;
       Whereas Camp Dudley is located in Westport, New York, with 
     two miles of frontage on Lake Champlain and surrounded by the 
     Adirondack Mountains;
       Whereas Camp Dudley is the oldest Camp in continuous 
     operation in the United States;
       Whereas Camp Dudley's motto of ``The Other Fellow First'', 
     is at the heart of camp life;
       Whereas Camp Dudley is a place that celebrates timeless 
     traditional values, inspiring boys, girls, men, and women 
     alike to seek

[[Page 12684]]

     something higher than their own self-interest;
       Whereas Camp Dudley has remained true to its mission to 
     develop moral, personal, physical, and leadership skills in 
     the spirit of fellowship and fun, enabling boys and girls to 
     lead lives characterized by devotion to others;
       Whereas Camp Dudley's leadership development program is a 
     dynamic part of the camp experience;
       Whereas Camp Dudley has a great legacy of Cabin Leadership, 
     driven by caring and bold leaders whose devotion to their 
     campers is the cornerstone for successful summers;
       Whereas Camp Dudley is committed to providing a balanced 
     program for campers that includes team sports, individual 
     sports, the arts, outdoor offerings, and spiritual 
     traditions;
       Whereas campers can participate in a variety of activities 
     and sports including arts and crafts, archery, band, 
     baseball, basketball, canoeing, ceramics, chorus, drama, 
     fishing, flag football, golf, hiking, high and low ropes 
     courses, kayaking, lacrosse, lifesaving, mountaineering, 
     music, photography, publications, riflery, rock climbing, 
     sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, diving, tennis, track 
     and field, water polo, weight training, writing, video, and 
     volleyball;
       Whereas Camp Dudley expanded its reach by welcoming Camp 
     Kiniya for girls into its family in 2006;
       Whereas Camp Dudley welcomes a diverse camper body of boys 
     of all faiths into their community;
       Whereas Camp Dudley is committed to making camp affordable 
     for all socioeconomic levels;
       Whereas Camp Dudley offers the Dr. William J. Schmidt 
     Memorial Scholarship program, in which approximately 20 
     percent of summer campers are awarded scholarships on the 
     basis of financial need, and are funded from generous alumni 
     and parents support;
       Whereas Camp Dudley's current and former campers and staff 
     have made significant differences in their own communities 
     and families;
       Whereas campers representing 35 States and 12 foreign 
     countries have spent their summers at Camp Dudley and has a 
     camper return rate of 84 percent; and
       Whereas one of the unique characteristics of Camp Dudley is 
     the loyalty and support of its alumni both through financial 
     support and attendance at the more than 47 alumni gatherings 
     occurring each year across the country and around the world: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, 
     on the occasion of its 125th anniversary; and
       (2) recognizes Camp Dudley YMCA's current staff, campers, 
     and alumni for their contributions to their community.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 300 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TONKO. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 300, which 
recognizes Camp Dudley YMCA for the contributions made to their 
community.
  Located in Westport, New York, Camp Dudley was founded in 1885 by 
Sumner F. Dudley, a YMCA volunteer. It is the oldest camp in continuous 
operation in our United States. Camp Dudley is a place that celebrates 
timeless traditional values, inspiring boys, girls, men, and women 
alike to seek something higher than their own self-interests. This 
dedication to personal development of campers can be exhibited in the 
camp's motto of ``The other fellow first.''
  The admirable mission of Camp Dudley includes helping campers to 
develop moral, personal, physical, and leadership skills in the spirit 
of fellowship and fun, enabling boys and girls to lead lives 
characterized by devotion to others.

                              {time}  1430

  In this way, Camp Dudley has shown dedication to creating a community 
of selflessness, teaching boys and girls to think of the larger 
community before one's self. A variety of activities offered at Camp 
Dudley, including arts and crafts, a multitude of sports, photography, 
writing, and many more, allow the campers to have new experiences and 
new adventures.
  With a great legacy of cabin leadership, Camp Dudley is driven by 
caring and bold leaders, whose devotion to their campers is the 
cornerstone for successful summers. As such, the camp's leadership 
development program is a dynamic and vital part of the camp experience. 
Camp Dudley has committed itself to making camp affordable for all 
socioeconomic levels, never letting financial capabilities stand in the 
way of opportunities for our young adults.
  Demonstrating such, Camp Dudley's scholarship program awards 
scholarships to approximately 20 percent of summer campers. This also 
serves as proof of the strong foundation built by the camp's alumni. 
The scholarships awarded are generously funded by both alumni and 
parents. Some notable alumni include Burgess Meredith, Bob Pettit, C. 
Roland Stichweh, Ink Clark, Pete Willmott, Paul Grinwis, John Harbison, 
Robert Appleyard, Gerald La Grange, Johnny Jones, and many others. The 
impact of Camp Dudley's influence expands beyond the campgrounds. 
Current and former campers, as well as staff, continue to make 
significant differences in their own communities and families.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution serves to recognize the successes of 
Camp Dudley, and it congratulates the institution on the occasion of 
its 125th anniversary. I want to thank Representative McHugh for 
bringing this resolution forward, and I do urge my colleagues to 
resoundingly pass this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 300, 
congratulating Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion 
of its 125th anniversary.
  Founded by Sumner F. Dudley in 1885, Camp Dudley is a place that 
celebrates timeless traditional values by inspiring boys and men alike 
to seek something higher than their own self-interests. Their motto, 
``The other fellow first,'' is at the heart of camp life. For more than 
125 years, Camp Dudley has been able to maintain tremendous momentum by 
remaining true to its original mission to develop boys' moral, personal 
and physical skills in the spirit of fellowship and fun.
  Camp Dudley is committed to providing a balanced program for campers 
that includes team sports, individual sports, the arts, outdoor 
offerings, and spiritual traditions. Their leadership development 
program is a dynamic part of camp experience and is integrated into all 
parts of the camp.
  Recognizing the benefits that summer camp can provide for girls, Camp 
Dudley at Kiniya opened for its first summer season in 2006. Girls from 
all over the country can enjoy camp that celebrates leadership, 
friendship and kindness. Camp Dudley at Kiniya is a camping experience 
that allows for individual and community growth where each person feels 
safe to try new things and has the time and opportunity to develop 
meaningful relationships and passions.
  One of Camp Dudley's great legacies is its history of cabin 
leadership. From the earliest days, the summer experience has been 
driven by a group of caring leaders, whose devotion to their campers 
has been the cornerstone for successful summers. At Camp Dudley, the 
counselors are called ``leaders'' because that is what is expected of 
them. The majority of camp employees have attended Camp Dudley before 
its campers. Of the 48 cabin leaders hired last summer, all were former 
campers. This commitment to consistency carries over to each level of 
the summer staff, and ensures that the campers will find success in a 
safe and supportive environment.
  Institutions such as Camp Dudley provide a foundation of leadership 
and citizenry that enriches our Nation. I am honored to stand before 
the House today to congratulate Camp Dudley on the occasion of its 
125th anniversary. I

[[Page 12685]]

encourage the camp to continue to enhance the lives of our children, 
and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TONKO. Does the gentleman from Kentucky have any further 
speakers?
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back.
  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, the tradition of 125 years with Camp 
Dudley, whereby they have nurtured our young and have strengthened our 
future by creating the leaders of tomorrow, is commendable, and I would 
encourage strongly that the House support House Resolution 300, 
honoring the 125th anniversary of Camp Dudley.
  Mr. McHUGH. Madam Speaker, I rise today as the proud sponsor of H. 
Res. 300, which congratulates Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, 
on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. I want to thank the gentlemen 
from California (Mr. Miller and Mr. McKeon) for their work to bring 
this resolution to the floor today. Likewise, I wish to thank many of 
my colleagues in the House who have signed on as cosponsors.
  Camp Dudley is the oldest camp in continuous operation in the United 
States. It was founded in 1885 by Sumner F. Dudley, a YMCA volunteer, 
and will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year. The camp is located 
in picturesque Westport, New York, on the shores of Lake Champlain and 
surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains.
  Camp Dudley is truly a special place. It is a place that celebrates 
timeless traditional values and inspires boys, girls, men and women to 
seek something higher than their own self-interest. In fact, Camp 
Dudley's motto is appropriately ``The Other Fellow First.''
  Over the years, Camp Dudley has remained true to its mission to 
develop moral, personal, physical and leadership skills in the spirit 
of fellowship and fun. In fact, leadership development is a dynamic 
part of the Dudley experience. Camp Dudley uniquely refers to its 
counselors as Leaders. This resolution recognizes this legacy of 
leadership.
  It is also important to recognize that Camp Dudley welcomes a diverse 
camper body of all faiths into their community. This resolution further 
recognizes Camp Dudley's commitment to making camp affordable for all 
socioeconomic levels. In fact, approximately 20 percent of summer 
campers are awarded scholarships on the basis of financial need and are 
funded from the generous support of alumni and parents. This support 
has allowed campers and staff to make significant contributions in 
their own communities and families. Many alumni have gone on to excel 
in a variety of fields including medicine, law, business, and 
government, to name just a few. This resolution also recognizes Camp 
Dudley's decision to expand its reach to include Camp Kiniya for girls 
in 2006. Camp Kiniya is located on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain 
in Colchester, Vermont.
  Of note, the William J. Schmidt Annual Scholarship Fund, named after 
former Camp Director Willie Schmidt, was launched in 2004. Thanks in 
large part to Dr. Schmidt's generosity and fundraising efforts, 
thousands of boys and girls have the joy of a Camp Dudley experience.
  Campers representing 35 states and 12 foreign countries have spent 
their summers at Camp Dudley. They have enjoyed this experience so 
immensely that the camper return rate stands at 84 percent. One of the 
unique characteristics of Camp Dudley is the loyalty and support of its 
alumni both through financial support and attendance at the more than 
forty-seven alumni gatherings occurring each year across the country 
and around the world.
  Accordingly, I ask my colleagues to support this resolution honoring 
Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion of its 125th 
anniversary and join with me in recognizing Camp Dudley's current 
staff, campers, and alumni for their contributions to their 
communities.
  Mr. TONKO. I yield back my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Capps). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 300, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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