HCR 197 — House concurrent resolution congratulating the YMCA on its 175th anniversary and extending best wishes for the organization’s future endeavors

R-238State Pageof 1Vermont House of 2Representatives No.Montpelier, Vermont Concurrent House Resolution H.C.R.

R-238.197 Offered by Representatives Rachelson of Burlington, Berbeco of Winooski, Bishop of Colchester, Black of Essex, Bluemle of Burlington, Bos-Lun of Westminster, Burke of Brattleboro, Garofano of Essex, Goldman of Rockingham, Headrick of Burlington, Hooper of Randolph, Hooper of Burlington, Kleppner of Burlington, Krasnow of South Burlington, McFaun of Barre Town, Ode of Burlington, and Stone of Burlington Offered by Senators Brennan, Collamore, Harrison, Hashim, Major, and White House concurrent resolution congratulating the YMCA on its 175th anniversary and extending best wishes for the organization’s future endeavors Whereas, on December 29, 1851, Thomas Valentine Sullivan established the first YMCA (the Y) in the United States at the Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts, mirroring the Y movement in England with a mission “to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all,” and Whereas, in 1866, the first Y in Vermont opened in Burlington, and Whereas, since 1851, the Y has been dedicated “to meet[ing] evolving needs of American communities, strengthening society by bringing people together, fostering relationships and creating a sense of belonging,” and Whereas, the Y “serves people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, creating spaces where all people feel welcome,” and Whereas, the many historic milestones of the Y’s last 175 years are of both organizational and national significance, and Whereas, a selection of the highlights of the Y’s 175-year odyssey include conducting the first night school and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, inventing basketball, offering the first group swimming lessons, serving as the birthplace of Father’s Day, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for the achievement of its National War Work Council, serving as America’s leading nonprofit provider of child care and afterschool programs, and offering important community support services during the pandemic, and Whereas, nationwide, 2,600 Ys, located in every state and territory, receive support from more than 300,000 staff and 350,000 volunteers, and they annually serve 6.5 million children and 11 million adults, and Whereas, in Vermont, the YMCA of Greater Burlington and the Meeting Waters YMCA (established in 1895) serve 15,000 Vermonters through the diligent efforts of 600 staff and 80 volunteers, and Whereas, during this anniversary year, Ys across the country will celebrate with special commemorative events, now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

HouseThat concurrentthe resolutionGeneral congratulatingAssembly congratulates the YMCA on its 175th anniversary and extendingextends best wishes for the organization’s future endeavors.endeavors, and be it further Resolved:

(H.C.R.197)That Offered by Representatives Rachelson of Burlington, Berbeco of Winooski, Bishop of Colchester, Black of Essex, Bluemle of Burlington, Bos-Lun of Westminster, Burke of Brattleboro, Garofano of Essex, Goldman of Rockingham, Headrick of Burlington, Hooper of Randolph, Hooper of Burlington, Kleppner of Burlington, Krasnow of South Burlington, McFaun of Barre Town, Ode of Burlington, and Stone of Burlington Offered by Senators Brennan, Collamore, Harrison, Hashim, Major, and White Whereas, on December 29, 1851, Thomas Valentine Sullivan established the firstSecretary YMCA (the Y) in the United States at the Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts, mirroring the Y movement in England with a mission “to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all,” and Whereas, in 1866, the first Y in Vermont opened in Burlington, and Whereas, since 1851, the Y has been dedicated “to meet[ing] evolving needs of AmericanState communities,be strengtheningdirected societyto bysend bringing people together, fostering relationships and creating a sensecopy of belonging,”this andresolution Whereas,to the Y “serves people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, creating spaces where all people feel welcome,” and Whereas, the many historic milestones of the Y’s last 175 years are of both organizational and national significance, and Whereas, a selection of the highlights of the Y’s 175-year odyssey include conducting the first night school and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, inventing basketball, offering the first group swimming lessons, serving as the birthplace of Father’s Day, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for the achievement of its National War Work Council, serving as America’s leading nonprofit provider of child care and afterschool programs, and offering important community support services during the pandemic, and Whereas, nationwide, 2,600 Ys, located in every state and territory, receive support from more than 300,000 staff and 350,000 volunteers, and they annually serve 6.5 million children and 11 million adults, and Whereas, in Vermont, the YMCA of Greater Burlington and the Meeting Waters YMCA (established. in 1895) serve 15,000 Vermonters through the diligent efforts of 600 staff and 80 volunteers, and Whereas, during this anniversary year, Ys across the country will celebrate with special commemorative events, now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

That the General Assembly congratulates the YMCA on its 175th anniversary and extends best wishes for the organization’s future endeavors, and be it further VT LEG #387513 v.1 R-238 Page 2 of 2 Resolved:

That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the YMCA of Greater Burlington and the Meeting Waters YMCA.

VT LEG #387513 v.1