S 994

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 994
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A concurrent RESOLUTION
TO CONGRATULATE AND EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO THE YMCA
FOR 175 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE NATION, TO COMMEND THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, AND TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO
ADDRESS SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS BY CREATING PLACES AND SPACES THAT
PROMOTE ACHIEVEMENT, WELL-BEING, AND CONNECTION.
Whereas, inspired by
the movement in England to put Christian principles into practice by building
healthy spirt, mind, and body for all, the Young Men's Christian Association
(YMCA) was founded in the United States by Thomas Valentine Sullivan at the Old
South Church in Boston on December 29, 1851, and marks its 175th anniversary
this year; and
Whereas, the YMCA has
continually adapted to meet evolving needs of American communities,
strengthening society by bringing people together, fostering relationships and
support, and creating a sense of belonging; and
Whereas, the YMCA has a
long and impressive legacy. They provided safe housing during the Industrial
Revolution, pioneered the first night school and English as a Second Language
(ESL) classes, invented basketball, and delivered the first group swimming
lessons. They led humanitarian efforts during wartime, including the work of
John R. Mott, the YMCA leader who received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for
promoting peace across national boundaries, as well as established the Youth
and Government program in 1936, a premier civic engagement initiative that
continues today. The YMCA is the birthplace of Father's Day, with the first
celebration held at the Spokane YMCA in 1910 and supports working families as
the nation's leading nonprofit provider of childcare and afterschool programs
since the 1970s. The YMCA also served as the leading provider of emergency
childcare for front line workers and a significant provider of food during the
pandemic; 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
that create connected communities to over 17 million people annually, including
almost 11 million adults and 6.5 million children and youth; and
Whereas, the first YMCA
in South Carolina opened in Charleston in 1866, and today 20 YMCAs serve
communities across South Carolina, engaging one out of every 18 South
Carolinians through the collective impact of more than 7,700 staff and 6,700
volunteers who provide services such as swimming lessons, camping, youth
sports, meal programs, and lifestyle, health, fitness, and well-being programs;
and
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. 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. In 2026, YMCAs nationwide will host special
events that celebrate the moments, programs, and people who have shaped their
story. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the
Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the
South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate and express
appreciation to the YMCA for 175 years of service to the nation, commend the
hundreds of thousands of staff and volunteers, and encourage continued support
for their efforts to address social isolation and loneliness by creating places
and spaces that promote achievement, well-being, and connection.
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This web page was last updated on March 10, 2026 at 12:30 PM