IN RECOGNITION OF JIM THOMAS, RECIPIENT OF THE 2019 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD FROM THE LUZERNE COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 145
(Extensions of Remarks - September 11, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF JIM THOMAS, RECIPIENT OF THE 2019 COMMUNITY SERVICE
AWARD FROM THE LUZERNE COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME
______
HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Wilkes-Barre
Family YMCA Executive Director Jim Thomas. Jim received the 2019
Community Service Award from the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame at
the 35th annual dinner on August 11, 2019 for his leadership and
service to the greater Wilkes-Barre area.
Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who
have brought fame and recognition to the state of Pennsylvania through
their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic endeavors.
Throughout his career, Jim has been dedicated to serving the Luzerne
County community in a variety of roles. Following graduation from the
Pennsylvania State University, University Park with a Bachelor of
Science in Parks and Recreation, Jim immediately put his knowledge to
action by serving as the Seasonal YMCA Summer Camp Director for Camp
Kresge in White Haven, Pennsylvania. Later, Jim became the Wilkes-Barre
Family YMCA Youth Director. He established a local indoor premier
soccer program with more than two-thousand participants, while also
working with the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources to start
a YMCA program located in a state park.
From June 1986 to April 1994, Jim served as the Wilkes-Barre YMCA
Program Executive, where he was responsible for membership and program
development. Since May 1994, Jim has served as the Wilkes-Barre Family
YMCA Executive Director, successfully spearheading numerous campaigns
and raising millions of dollars to improve facilities of the Wilkes-
Barre YMCA and to offer access opportunities to low income families. He
also led effort to construct five new facilities at Camp Kresge and
rebuild existing infrastructure to improve the camp for future
generations.
Jim is also a member of numerous associations and societies,
including the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society, the
Pennsylvania State University Recreation and Parks Society, the Kiwanis
Club of Wilkes-Barre, the Riverfront Parks Association, the Downtown
Business Association, and the State Public Policy Committee.
It is an honor to join with the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in
recognizing Jim's lifetime of effort. May his hard work and dedication
to the community continue to have a lasting impact on the greater
Wilkes-Barre area.
____________________