[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 16097]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATING THE STAMFORD JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

 Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to congratulate the Stamford Jewish Community Center for 
being the 2014 S.T.R.I.V.E., Sports Teach Respect Initiative Values and 
Excellence, Organization of the Year. Each year the National Council of 
Youth Sports, NCYS, recognizes five finalist organizations that most 
meet the ``kids first'' approach, evidenced by their implementation of 
best practices and policies that protect kids and promote safety. Those 
five finalist organizations are then put on the NCYS website for voting 
by the public. The award, sponsored by AIG, is presented to 
organizations that exhibit heartfelt passion and show a committed 
spirit to helping kids succeed in sports, while maintaining a 
commitment to safety procedures.
  Since opening its doors in 1916, the Stamford JCC has become a 
valuable community resource, especially well-known for its continuum of 
safe, supportive, and inclusive health and fitness programs for 
children and youth of all abilities, backgrounds, and financial 
circumstances. This year, more than 1,500 kids, ages 3 to 16, have 
taken part in their ``kids-first'' recreational activities, created to 
promote such attributes as teamwork, community engagement, and 
sportsmanship.
  NCYS is the largest known organization in America representing the 
youth sports industry, and this award is an important recognition that 
the Stamford JCC is excelling at helping kids in our community. 
Comprised of the who's who in the youth sports industry, NCYS was 
founded in 1979, and its membership represents more than 200 
organizations/corporations serving 60,000,000 registered participants 
in organized youth sports programs. Its members include organizations 
such as the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and 
Administrators--Cheer Safe, American Legion Baseball, American Youth 
Soccer Organization, Jewish Community Centers Association of North 
America, YMCA of America, Pop Warner, Special Olympics North America, 
and the U.S. Tennis Association.
  Again, I commend the Stamford JCC for this wonderful achievement, and 
the great work they are doing in the city of Stamford.

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