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PRINTER'S NO. 3445
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 555
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY O'MARA, MEHAFFIE, BRENNAN, HANBIDGE, VENKAT, HILL-
EVANS, HARKINS, MERSKI, CONKLIN, RIVERA, PUGH, T. DAVIS,
McNEILL, HAMM, ANDERSON, MALAGARI, HOHENSTEIN, MENTZER,
GALLAGHER, PASHINSKI, BOROWSKI, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, NEILSON AND
CURRY, MAY 22, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, MAY 27, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Designating December 29, 2026, as the "175th Anniversary of the
Young Men's Christian Association" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) marks
its 175th anniversary, having been founded in the United States
by Thomas Valentine Sullivan at the Old South Church in Boston
on December 29, 1851; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Sullivan, inspired by the YMCA movement in
England, made it a mission to put Christian principles into
practice by building a healthy spirit, mind and body for all;
and
WHEREAS, The YMCA has continually adapted to meet evolving
needs of American communities, strengthening society by bringing
people together, fostering relationships and creating a sense of
belonging; and
WHEREAS, The YMCA's legacy includes:
(1) providing safe housing during the Industrial
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Revolution;
(2) pioneering the first night school and English as a
Second Language classes;
(3) inventing basketball;
(4) delivering the first group swim lessons;
(5) leading humanitarian efforts during wartime,
including the work of John R. Mott - President Wilson's
General Secretary for the National War Work Council, YMCA
leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1946;
(6) establishing the Youth and Government program in
1936, a premier civic engagement initiative continued today;
(7) holding the first Father's Day celebration at the
Spokane YMCA in 1910; and
(8) supporting working families by becoming the nation's
leading nonprofit provider to have child care and after-
school programs in the 1970s and 1980s;
and
WHEREAS, Today, 2,600 YMCAs serve more than 10,000
communities in every state and territory, with more than 300,000
staff and 350,000 volunteers delivering essential programs to
over 17 million people annually, including almost 11 million
adults and 6.5 million children and youth; and
WHEREAS, On January 1, 1854, the Philadelphia YMCA was
chartered as the first YMCA in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is proud to be home to more YMCAs
than any other state in the nation; and
WHEREAS, More than 700,000 Pennsylvanians are members of
their local YMCA; and
WHEREAS, More than 180,000 individuals across this
Commonwealth participate annually in YMCA programs that promote
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youth development and healthy living; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth's YMCAs benefit from the services
of more than 15,000 volunteers of all ages, teens through
seniors, who serve as child-care aids, swim instructors,
tutors, mentors, coaches, chaperones and others, and over 2,100
other volunteers donate their skills, talents and leadership by
serving on YMCA boards and committees; and
WHEREAS, The YMCA is a leader in providing swim lessons,
camping, youth sports, meal programs, lifestyle health, fitness
and well-being programs, and is the largest provider of fitness
programs for older adults; and
WHEREAS, The YMCA is the nation's largest nonprofit provider
of child care and after-school programs; and
WHEREAS, The YMCA serves people of all ages, backgrounds and
abilities, creating spaces where all people feel welcome,
respected and able to find opportunities to connect with their
neighbors; and
WHEREAS, YMCAs across the nation are working to build
stronger, more connected communities through intentional
experiences that help people achieve their goals, foster
connection and promote well-being in order to build
relationships and thrive; and
WHEREAS, In 2026, YMCAs nationwide will host special events
that celebrate the moments, programs and people who have shaped
their story; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
December 29, 2026, as the "175th Anniversary of the Young Men's
Christian Association" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives:
(1) congratulate and express appreciation to the YMCA
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for 175 years of service to the nation;
(2) recognize the YMCA's role in responding to community
needs, connecting people, fostering support, building
relationships and a sense of belonging;
(3) commend the hundreds of thousands of staff and
volunteers who create connected communities and advance the
YMCA's mission to build healthy spirits, minds and bodies for
all; and
(4) encourage continued support for the efforts to
address social isolation and loneliness by creating places
and spaces that promote achievement, well-being and
connection and help people build relationships and thrive.
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