Senate Passes Lankford, Durbin Resolution Honoring 175th Anniversary of YMCA

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - US Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) this week celebrated the unanimous Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution to honor the YMCA ahead of the organization's 175th anniversary.

"For 175 years, the YMCA has been a steady force for good in communities across America. Here in Oklahoma, 17 YMCAs are putting that mission into action every day, supporting families, mentoring young people, and strengthening the communities we're proud to call home," said Lankford.

"The YMCA's history is intrinsically tied to our nation's history, and even 175 years later, it will be a piece of our nation's future," Durbin said. "Chicago is the proud home of the YMCA's headquarters, and our state is better for the contributions of this organization, which has served as a community hub for nearly two centuries. I'm encouraged to see this bipartisan resolution to celebrate the long and storied history of the YMCA unanimously pass the Senate."

Joining Lankford and Durbin as co-sponsors of the resolution were Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Boozman (R-AR), Todd Young (R-IN), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11), and Chris Pappas (D-NH-01) introduced a companion resolution in the House.

Background

Since its founding in 1851, the YMCA has built its legacy around being a community space that meets the evolving needs of Americans and welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. In their resolution, the members of Congress recognize the YMCA's history, which includes the invention of basketball and the first group swim lesson; providing safe housing during the Industrial Revolution; the establishment of the nation's oldest and largest youth civics education program; and serving as the nation's leading non-profit provider of early child care and education, before and after school programs, and summer camp.

You can find the full text of the resolution HERE.

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