Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-09-24

RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS

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Context

On 2026-09-24, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS" in the Senate.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S4981] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I rise today to recognize a significant milestone for the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for infants, youth, and teens across northern Nevada for the last 50 years. Founded in 1976 as the Truckee Meadows Boys' Club with just one location in the center of town, BGCTM has grown to become a second home to nearly 14,500 youth in more than 55 locations across northern Nevada. During visits over the years, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the club's dedication to not only providing a safe environment for kids to go before and after school and during school breaks, but also to creating an atmosphere encouraging growth and development beyond the traditional classroom setting. Originally introduced to the Reno-Sparks community as a place for boys to play organized sports, attend special events, receive tutoring, or join a leadership society, the club was created as a positive outlet for boys to direct their energy and promote the overall development of a young person. In 1983, the club officially expanded to welcome girls to the organization, and they formally became known as the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows. Over the years, BGCTM has continued to grow immensely in size, membership, and the number of activities offered to youth of all ages. Take for example the creation of BGCTM's first early learning center. Opened in 2008 to serve infants through age 5, it has since evolved into an array of nine early learning locations spread across northern Nevada. Another example is the growth of BGCTM's athletic programming serving youth of all skill levels, like the Reno Ballers Basketball Program, which first launched in 1996 and still operates today as a premier sports league for families searching for low-cost, high-quality skill development. In addition to introducing a wide variety of new programs and options for families over the last 50 years, BGCTM has never shied away from the challenge of serving children and families throughout every corner of our State. Pushing well beyond the boundaries of the Truckee Meadows, the club expanded services to our State's rural communities in 2008 and has since grown to operate clubhouses and school sites throughout Fernley, Ely, Tonopah, Lovelock, and Winnemucca--in addition to the many sites across Washoe County. BGCTM also has a long history of going above and beyond to answer the call of families most in need in our region, serving up to 600,000 meals to youth every year, providing upwards of 90,000 bus rides to club locations, delivering gifts and family meals during the holiday season, and never turning away a family for an inability to pay the membership fee. Furthermore, the club offers parenting classes to help foster healthy family structures, provides accessible mental health services to families and staff through their Bright Futures Wellness Center, creates in-house workforce training opportunities to help youth develop their employability skills, and even administers college scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Of course, this work isn't done alone, and BGCTM has an extensive track record of collaborating with partners across our community to further enrich the programs and family services they offer. This drive to serve our community is fueled by an incredibly dedicated staff across northern Nevada, spearheaded for nearly 31 years by Chief Executive Officer Mike Wurm who has been the catalyst for so much of the growth BGCTM has seen under his leadership. The club is also fortunate to benefit from a deeply involved board of directors and young leaders committee, regularly earning awards for their 100 percent giving status. For each of these reasons and more, BGCTM continues to serve as a model to Boys & Girls Clubs across the county, and I am grateful for their tireless work to support families across the Silver State. Enabling all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens is certainly no small feat, but it is a mission BGCTM has always taken in stride. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the club remained open to support the children of essential workers and extended their daily hours, yet another example of BGCTM answering the call when our community needed them most. The club has cemented its legacy as an organization leading the charge on serving children and families across our region. I look forward to our continued work together, in addition to celebrating their achievements for many years to come. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S4981] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TRUCKEE MEADOWS Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I rise today to recognize a significant milestone for the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for infants, youth, and teens across northern Nevada for the last 50 years. Founded in 1976 as the Truckee Meadows Boys' Club with just one location in the center of town, BGCTM has grown to become a second home to nearly 14,500 youth in more than 55 locations across northern Nevada. During visits over the years, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the club's dedication to not only providing a safe environment for kids to go before and after school and during school breaks, but also to creating an atmosphere encouraging growth and development beyond the traditional classroom setting. Originally introduced to the Reno-Sparks community as a place for boys to play organized sports, attend special events, receive tutoring, or join a leadership society, the club was created as a positive outlet for boys to direct their energy and promote the overall development of a young person. In 1983, the club officially expanded to welcome girls to the organization, and they formally became known as the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows. Over the years, BGCTM has continued to grow immensely in size, membership, and the number of activities offered to youth of all ages. Take for example the creation of BGCTM's first early learning center. Opened in 2008 to serve infants through age 5, it has since evolved into an array of nine early learning locations spread across northern Nevada. Another example is the growth of BGCTM's athletic programming serving youth of all skill levels, like the Reno Ballers Basketball Program, which first launched in 1996 and still operates today as a premier sports league for families searching for low-cost, high-quality skill development. In addition to introducing a wide variety of new programs and options for families over the last 50 years, BGCTM has never shied away from the challenge of serving children and families throughout every corner of our State. Pushing well beyond the boundaries of the Truckee Meadows, the club expanded services to our State's rural communities in 2008 and has since grown to operate clubhouses and school sites throughout Fernley, Ely, Tonopah, Lovelock, and Winnemucca--in addition to the many sites across Washoe County. BGCTM also has a long history of going above and beyond to answer the call of families most in need in our region, serving up to 600,000 meals to youth every year, providing upwards of 90,000 bus rides to club locations, delivering gifts and family meals during the holiday season, and never turning away a family for an inability to pay the membership fee. Furthermore, the club offers parenting classes to help foster healthy family structures, provides accessible mental health services to families and staff through their Bright Futures Wellness Center, creates in-house workforce training opportunities to help youth develop their employability skills, and even administers college scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Of course, this work isn't done alone, and BGCTM has an extensive track record of collaborating with partners across our community to further enrich the programs and family services they offer. This drive to serve our community is fueled by an incredibly dedicated staff across northern Nevada, spearheaded for nearly 31 years by Chief Executive Officer Mike Wurm who has been the catalyst for so much of the growth BGCTM has seen under his leadership. The club is also fortunate to benefit from a deeply involved board of directors and young leaders committee, regularly earning awards for their 100 percent giving status. For each of these reasons and more, BGCTM continues to serve as a model to Boys & Girls Clubs across the county, and I am grateful for their tireless work to support families across the Silver State. Enabling all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens is certainly no small feat, but it is a mission BGCTM has always taken in stride. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the club remained open to support the children of essential workers and extended their daily hours, yet another example of BGCTM answering the call when our community needed them most. The club has cemented its legacy as an organization leading the charge on serving children and families across our region. I look forward to our continued work together, in addition to celebrating their achievements for many years to come. ____________________