H.Res. 1074

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1074 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1074

Celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Young Men's Christian 
Association (YMCA).

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 23, 2026

Mr. Quigley (for himself, Mr. Edwards, and Mr. Pappas) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education 
and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Young Men's Christian 
Association (YMCA).

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, inspired by the YMCA movement in England with a mission to put 
Christian principles into practice by building healthy spirit, mind, and 
body for all;
Whereas the YMCA has continually adapted to meet evolving needs of communities 
in the United States, strengthening society by bringing people together, 
fostering relationships, and creating a sense of belonging;
Whereas the YMCA's legacy includes--

(1) being proudly headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, a city that has 
long served as a pillar of civic leadership, innovation, and community 
service, and whose values are proudly reflected in the YMCA's mission and 
work nationwide;

(2) providing safe housing during the Industrial Revolution;

(3) inventing basketball;

(4) launching the first night school and English as a Second Language 
(ESL) classes;

(5) delivering the first group swim lessons;

(6) leading humanitarian efforts during wartime, including the work of 
YMCA leader and President Wilson's General Secretary for the National War 
Work Council, John R. Mott, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for 
his work on the Council;

(7) establishing the Youth and Government Program in 1936, one of the 
oldest and largest youth civics education programs in the United States;

(8) serving as the birthplace of Father's Day, with the first 
celebration held at the Spokane YMCA in 1910;

(9) serving as the Nation's leading nonprofit provider of early 
childcare and education, before and afterschool programs, and summer camp 
programs, since the 1970s; and

(10) serving as the leading provider of emergency childcare for 
essential personnel, nutrition assistance, and remote learning spaces 
during the pandemic;

Whereas, as of 2026, the YMCA has approximately 2,600 locations that serve more 
than 10,000 communities in every State and territory, with more than 
300,000 employees and 350,000 volunteers delivering essential programs 
to over 17,000,000 people annually, including almost 11,000,000 adults 
and 6,500,000 children and youth;
Whereas the YMCA is a leader in providing swim lessons, camping, youth sports, 
child nutrition programs, lifestyle health, fitness, and well-being 
programs and is the largest provider of fitness programs for older 
adults;
Whereas the YMCA serves people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, creating 
spaces where all people feel welcome, are treated with respect, and find 
opportunities to connect with their neighbors;
Whereas YMCAs across the United States 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've shaped their story: Now, therefore, 
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates and expresses appreciation to the Young 
Men's Christian Association (YMCA) for 175 years of service to 
the United States;
(2) recognizes the YMCA's role in responding to community 
needs, connecting people, fostering support, and building 
relationships and a sense of belonging;
(3) commends 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) encourages 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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