[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2014

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Greater 
Morristown YMCA, located in Hanover Township, Morris County, New 
Jersey, as it celebrates its 140th Anniversary.
  The Greater Morristown YMCA was founded by Dr. Frederick Owen and 
Reverend Thomas Souper on Friday, January 2, 1874. The two founding 
fathers held their first meeting in the Baptist Church located on The 
Green of Morristown, lasting until midnight and resulting in the 
Morristown YMCA.
  The original location for the YMCA was a rented second floor walkup. 
The organization moved in 1881 to provide better facilities. After the 
purchase of their new building, a night school was created for boys and 
men. The purpose of this school was to teach reading, spelling, and 
arithmetic. During this time, the YMCA was only open to males.
  In 1883, Mrs. Jacob Sutplen began the Ladies Auxiliary to help raise 
funds for the facility. The group became an instrumental branch of the 
organization, both administrative and social, yet women were still not 
allowed membership. However, this changed around the time of World War 
I, when the organization decided to open its doors to women part time, 
offering classes and exclusive time in the gymnasium.
  During this period, the gymnasium was described as one of the most 
complete gymnasiums in the country. Not only was the gym well 
ventilated and electrically illuminated, but it also offered adjoining 
bathrooms with hot and cold water for showers. At this time, the 
building also included classrooms, game rooms, and a bowling alley.
  By 1888, the Board of Directors purchased a new lot and building due 
to the demands of growth. In 1909, the YMCA moved to its third home. 
Its fourth and current location opened in 1981, located in Cedar 
Knolls. This facility offers four locker rooms, four racquetball 
courts, a full gymnasium, an indoor track, an Olympic-sized swimming 
pool, and much more. In 2001, with the help of donations, the 
Morristown YMCA was able to increase the functional space from 37,000 
square feet to 48,000 square feet. In 2002, YMCA purchased the property 
next door, increasing its size to 13 acres.
  The Greater Morristown YMCA currently offers more than ninety free 
fitness classes, child care, an up-to-date fitness center, conference 
center and library, and much more. The employees and volunteers at The 
Greater Morristown YMCA continue to focus on growing and improving the 
Foundation to meet the needs of the community, today, and in the 
future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
The Greater Morristown YMCA as it celebrates its 140th Anniversary.

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