SR671: SR671 YMCA; recognize

26 LC 129 0836 Senate Resolution 671 By: Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Brass of the 6th, Echols of the 49th, Dickerson of the 21st, Hodges of the 3rd and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing the YMCA upon its 175th anniversary; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, in 2026, the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is celebrating its2 175th anniversary; and3 WHEREAS, inspired by the YMCA movement in England and with a mi ssion to put4 Christian principles into practice by building a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, Thomas5 Valentine Sullivan founded the YMCA at the Old South Church in Boston on December 29,6 1851; and7 WHEREAS, the YMCA has continually adapted to meet evolving need s of American8 communities, strengthening society by bringing people together, fostering relationships, and9 creating a sense of belonging; and10 WHEREAS, the YMCA's legacy includes: providing safe housing dur ing the Industrial11 Revolution; pioneering the first night school and English as a Second Language (ESL)12 classes; inventing basketball; delivering the first group swim lessons; leading humanitarian13 efforts during wartime, including the work of YMCA leader and President Wilson's General14 Secretary for the National War Work Council, John R. Mott, who received the Nobel Peace15 S. R. 671 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0836 Prize in 1946 for the undertaking; establishing the Youth and Government program in 1936,16 a premier civic engagement initiative that continues today; ser ving as the birthplace of17 Father's Day, with the first celebration held at the Spokane YM CA in 1910; becoming the18 nation's leading nonprofit provider of child care and afterschool programs since the 1970s19 and 1980s supporting working families; and serving as the leadi ng provider of emergency20 child care for front line workers and a significant provider of food during the pandemic; and21 WHEREAS, today 2,600 YMCAs serve more than 10,000 communities in every state and22 territory, with more than 300,000 staff and 350,00 volunteers delivering essential programs23 to over 17 million people annually, including almost 11 million adults and 6.5 million24 children and youth; and25 WHEREAS, the first YMCA in Georgia opened in 1855 in Savannah and today, 16 YMCAs26 serve communities in Georgia through the collective impact of m ore than 8,300 staff and27 8,600 volunteers providing essential programs and services; and28 WHEREAS, the YMCA is a leader in providing swim lessons, camping, youth sports, meal29 programs, lifestyle health, fitness and well-being programs, an d is the largest provider of30 fitness programs for older adults; and31 WHEREAS, the YMCA is the nation's largest nonprofit provider of childcare and afterschool32 programs; and 33 WHEREAS, the YMCA serves people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, creating spaces34 where all people feel welcome, are treated with respect and fin d opportunities to connect35 with their neighbors; and 36 S. R. 671 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0836 WHEREAS, YMCAs across the nation are working to build stronger, more connected37 communities through intentional experiences that help people ac hieve their goals, foster38 connection and promote well-being in order to build relationships and thrive; and 39 WHEREAS, in 2026, YMCAs nationwide will host special events tha t celebrate the40 moments, programs, and people who've shaped their story.41 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body42 recognize the YMCA's role in responding to community needs, connecting people, fostering43 support, building relationships and a sense of belonging; comme nd the hundreds of44 thousands of staff and volunteers who create connected communit ies and advance the Y's45 mission to build healthy spirits, minds, and bodies for all; encourage continued support for46 the efforts to address social isolation and loneliness by creat ing places and spaces that47 promote achievement, well-being, and connection and help people build relationships and48 thrive; and congratulate the YMCA for 175 years of service to the nation.49 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed50 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the YMCA.51 S. R. 671 - 3 -