HCR 197

R-238  Page 1 of 2
2026
No. R-238. House concurrent resolution congratulating the YMCA on its 175th
anniversary and extending best wishes for the organization’s future endeavors.
                                        (H.C.R.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
  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:
   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
2026
   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