07 LC
96 2829
House
Resolution 1003
By:
Representatives Smith of the
113th,
McKillip of the
115th,
and Heard of the
114th
A
RESOLUTION
Celebrating
the 150th anniversary of the Athens YMCA; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Athens YMCA, one of the oldest YMCAs in the nation, was founded in March of
1857, just 13 years after the national movement started; and
WHEREAS,
meetings were held initially at a local church before the Athens YMCA moved to
the basement of the First Presbyterian Church, and in 1898, the organization
moved into its first building, which now houses the Georgia Theater and was the
site of Athens' first swimming pool, the "Iron Tank"; and
WHEREAS,
during World War I, the Athens YMCA was in the process of raising money for a
new facility, and in 1915, it opened one of the best YMCA facilities in the
country; and
WHEREAS,
the YMCA program grew with each generation, guiding the men and boys of Athens
mentally, physically, and spiritually, and during World War II, army troops used
the YMCA fields as a camp during military movements; and
WHEREAS,
the first basketball teams at Athens High School and the University of Georgia
used the gym at the Athens YMCA, where the university team was coached by YMCA
personnel; and
WHEREAS,
the Athens YMCA opened its current facility in 1967, and it currently has a
membership of over 6,000 men and women of all ages; and
WHEREAS,
today, the YMCA offers a variety of quality programs, and although the types of
services are different from the original Athens YMCA, the overall mission
remains the same: the practice of Christian principles through programs that
build a healthy body, mind, and spirit for all.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body recognize the Athens YMCA on the occasion of its 150th anniversary,
express their appreciation for the extensive services the YMCA has provided the
citizens of this state, and extend their sincerest best wishes for the
future.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Athens
YMCA.