Congratulating Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 300) congratulating Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 300 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 300, which recognizes Camp Dudley YMCA for the contributions made to their community.

Located in Westport, New York, Camp Dudley was founded in 1885 by Sumner F. Dudley, a YMCA volunteer. It is the oldest camp in continuous operation in our United States. Camp Dudley is a place that celebrates timeless traditional values, inspiring boys, girls, men, and women alike to seek something higher than their own self-interests. This dedication to personal development of campers can be exhibited in the camp's motto of ``The other fellow first.''

The admirable mission of Camp Dudley includes helping campers to develop moral, personal, physical, and leadership skills in the spirit of fellowship and fun, enabling boys and girls to lead lives characterized by devotion to others.

In this way, Camp Dudley has shown dedication to creating a community of selflessness, teaching boys and girls to think of the larger community before one's self. A variety of activities offered at Camp Dudley, including arts and crafts, a multitude of sports, photography, writing, and many more, allow the campers to have new experiences and new adventures.

With a great legacy of cabin leadership, Camp Dudley is driven by caring and bold leaders, whose devotion to their campers is the cornerstone for successful summers. As such, the camp's leadership development program is a dynamic and vital part of the camp experience. Camp Dudley has committed itself to making camp affordable for all socioeconomic levels, never letting financial capabilities stand in the way of opportunities for our young adults.

Demonstrating such, Camp Dudley's scholarship program awards scholarships to approximately 20 percent of summer campers. This also serves as proof of the strong foundation built by the camp's alumni. The scholarships awarded are generously funded by both alumni and parents. Some notable alumni include Burgess Meredith, Bob Pettit, C. Roland Stichweh, Ink Clark, Pete Willmott, Paul Grinwis, John Harbison, Robert Appleyard, Gerald La Grange, Johnny Jones, and many others. The impact of Camp Dudley's influence expands beyond the campgrounds. Current and former campers, as well as staff, continue to make significant differences in their own communities and families.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution serves to recognize the successes of Camp Dudley, and it congratulates the institution on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. I want to thank Representative McHugh for bringing this resolution forward, and I do urge my colleagues to resoundingly pass this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Does the gentleman from Kentucky have any further speakers?

Madam Speaker, the tradition of 125 years with Camp Dudley, whereby they have nurtured our young and have strengthened our future by creating the leaders of tomorrow, is commendable, and I would encourage strongly that the House support House Resolution 300, honoring the 125th anniversary of Camp Dudley.

I yield back my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise today as the proud sponsor of H. Res. 300, which congratulates Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. I want to thank the gentlemen from California (Mr. Miller and Mr. McKeon) for their work to bring this resolution to the floor today. Likewise, I wish to thank many of my colleagues in the House who have signed on as cosponsors.

Camp Dudley is the oldest camp in continuous operation in the United States. It was founded in 1885 by Sumner F. Dudley, a YMCA volunteer, and will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year. The camp is located in picturesque Westport, New York, on the shores of Lake Champlain and surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains.

Camp Dudley is truly a special place. It is a place that celebrates timeless traditional values and inspires boys, girls, men and women to seek something higher than their own self-interest. In fact, Camp Dudley's motto is appropriately ``The Other Fellow First.''

Over the years, Camp Dudley has remained true to its mission to develop moral, personal, physical and leadership skills in the spirit of fellowship and fun. In fact, leadership development is a dynamic part of the Dudley experience. Camp Dudley uniquely refers to its counselors as Leaders. This resolution recognizes this legacy of leadership.

It is also important to recognize that Camp Dudley welcomes a diverse camper body of all faiths into their community. This resolution further recognizes Camp Dudley's commitment to making camp affordable for all socioeconomic levels. In fact, approximately 20 percent of summer campers are awarded scholarships on the basis of financial need and are funded from the generous support of alumni and parents. This support has allowed campers and staff to make significant contributions in their own communities and families. Many alumni have gone on to excel in a variety of fields including medicine, law, business, and government, to name just a few. This resolution also recognizes Camp Dudley's decision to expand its reach to include Camp Kiniya for girls in 2006. Camp Kiniya is located on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain in Colchester, Vermont.

Of note, the William J. Schmidt Annual Scholarship Fund, named after former Camp Director Willie Schmidt, was launched in 2004. Thanks in large part to Dr. Schmidt's generosity and fundraising efforts, thousands of boys and girls have the joy of a Camp Dudley experience.

Campers representing 35 states and 12 foreign countries have spent their summers at Camp Dudley. They have enjoyed this experience so immensely that the camper return rate stands at 84 percent. One of the unique characteristics of Camp Dudley is the loyalty and support of its alumni both through financial support and attendance at the more than forty-seven alumni gatherings occurring each year across the country and around the world.

Accordingly, I ask my colleagues to support this resolution honoring Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary and join with me in recognizing Camp Dudley's current staff, campers, and alumni for their contributions to their communities.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 300, congratulating Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary.

Founded by Sumner F. Dudley in 1885, Camp Dudley is a place that celebrates timeless traditional values by inspiring boys and men alike to seek something higher than their own self-interests. Their motto, ``The other fellow first,'' is at the heart of camp life. For more than 125 years, Camp Dudley has been able to maintain tremendous momentum by remaining true to its original mission to develop boys' moral, personal and physical skills in the spirit of fellowship and fun.

Camp Dudley is committed to providing a balanced program for campers that includes team sports, individual sports, the arts, outdoor offerings, and spiritual traditions. Their leadership development program is a dynamic part of camp experience and is integrated into all parts of the camp.

Recognizing the benefits that summer camp can provide for girls, Camp Dudley at Kiniya opened for its first summer season in 2006. Girls from all over the country can enjoy camp that celebrates leadership, friendship and kindness. Camp Dudley at Kiniya is a camping experience that allows for individual and community growth where each person feels safe to try new things and has the time and opportunity to develop meaningful relationships and passions.

One of Camp Dudley's great legacies is its history of cabin leadership. From the earliest days, the summer experience has been driven by a group of caring leaders, whose devotion to their campers has been the cornerstone for successful summers. At Camp Dudley, the counselors are called ``leaders'' because that is what is expected of them. The majority of camp employees have attended Camp Dudley before its campers. Of the 48 cabin leaders hired last summer, all were former campers. This commitment to consistency carries over to each level of the summer staff, and ensures that the campers will find success in a safe and supportive environment.

Institutions such as Camp Dudley provide a foundation of leadership and citizenry that enriches our Nation. I

am honored to stand before the House today to congratulate Camp Dudley on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. I encourage the camp to continue to enhance the lives of our children, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately Monday night, May 18, 2009, I was unable to cast my votes on H. Res. 300, S. 386 and H. Res. 442 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 267, on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 300, Congratulating Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for Rollcall No. 268, on suspending the Rules and agreeing to the Senate Amendments to the House Amendments on S. 386, the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for Rollcall No. 269, on suspending the Rules and passing H. Res. 442, Recognizing the importance of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and its positive effect on the lives of low-income children and families, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, on Monday, May 18, 2009, I was excused from a series of three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all three measures.

These measures were: H. Res. 300, a resolution congratulating Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, introduced by Mr. McHugh of New York; S. 386, the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009, as amended, introduced by Senator Leahy of Vermont; and H. Res. 442, a resolution recognizing the importance of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and its positive effect on the lives of low income children and families, introduced by Mr. George Miller of California.