South Carolina S 989: YMCA 175th Anniversary

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 989 Text of Previous Version (Mar. 10, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 989

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A senate 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, and the YMCA 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:

That the members of the 
South Carolina Senate, 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 12:31 PM