[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10927]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    125TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED WAY

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity 
to celebrate 125 Years of United Way, the world's largest privately 
supported non-profit with 1,800 communities based throughout 41 
countries and territories.
  In 1887, a group of Denver community leaders recognized the need for 
cooperative action to address their city's problems. They created an 
organization to collect funds for local charities, and to coordinate 
relief services, counsel, and make emergency assistance grants. This 
community establishment sparked a national movement that ultimately 
became the world's leading community impact organizations.
  Over the last 125 years, United Way has worked collaboratively with 
communities in the U.S. and around the globe, enabling individuals to 
achieve their maximum human potential through education and financial 
stability.
  In my home State, the United Way of Central Maryland has had a 
significant impact on the lives of my constituents. Each year, over 
33,000 Marylanders receive nutritious meals, and 7,000 are provided 
with housing. Nearly 200 Maryland youths received scholarships this 
year, and 600 were provided with school readiness services. The 
resources provided by United Way of Central Maryland have assisted each 
and every kind of problem my constituents face--from helping a single 
father of two children get employment, to providing the necessary 
treatment and funding for a local woman with advanced heart disease.
  United Way is known for its successful partnerships. One example 
includes the collaboration between United Way and the Alliance of 
Information and Referral Systems resulted in the successful petitioning 
of the Federal Communications Commission to designate the telephone 
number ``211'' for health and human services information and referral. 
Partnerships with corporations such as MTV and CNN, along with 120 
United Ways Global Corporate Leadership Companies, and the 
establishment of the United Way Financial Stability Partnership, have 
allowed United Way to be an extraordinary contributor to thousands of 
communities in this country and abroad.
  Since its inception, United Way has led disaster response in crises 
around the globe. In response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the 
United Way of New York City and the New York Community Trust 
established the September 11th Fund to mobilize financial resources for 
the needs of the individuals impacted by the tragedies. It raised an 
astounding $425 million. Three years later, in response to the tsunami 
that stuck Southeast Asia, The United Way Coordinated Crisis Response 
Team worked with United Way communities around the world to respond to 
the nations impacted by the disaster.
  The invaluable impact of the United Way and its associates is without 
question. On behalf of myself, and speaking for the countless 
individuals and communities that have regained their strengths and 
lived better lives due to this organization, I would like to 
congratulate United Way on 125 years of extraordinary global 
service.

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