History of the Jaycees

Our Founder - Henry Giessenbier

Henry Giessenbier founded the Jaycees in 1920, with 3,000 members, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was Henry’s vision to provide young people with opportunities which they had little or no access to otherwise attain. He believed that young people could change the world. He was right. In his era, most young men were out of school and working by the age of 15. Their first jobs were most likely the jobs they held throughout their lives.

With luck and hard work, some might reach executive positions by their forties. Giessenbier felt that young men were not receiving the opportunities necessary to develop their skills at a younger age, thus depriving our nation of an important resource, and so he formed the founding ideals of the U.S. Junior Chamber.

His theory was simple – to offer leadership opportunities to young people, giving them hands - on experience through serving the community. That concept has never wavered.

Past State Presidents

Click on the PDF Icon to see a full list of Past Illinois Jaycee Presidents

Jaycee History

1990

Name of organization officially changed back to The U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce.

1992

National Wake Up America program urged communities to get involved in politics by coordinating voter registration campaigns, hosting debates, and embracing pertinent community issues. Jaycees responded to devastating hurricanes in the southeast with national support.

1993

GreenWorks! environmental education and community action program adopted by USJC. Jaycees Against Youth Smoking (JAYS) adopted as national program. Junior Chamber members were instrumental in bringing relief to the flood-stricken Midwest.

1994

Junior Chamber Mission Inn Foundation created to build a nationwide network of care facilities for children and adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS.

1995

The Jaycee Alliance was formed as a non-partisan, educational, grassroots governmental advocacy organization to give young Americans a voice in government. The Jaycee KidCare I.D. Program was organized to provide identification to aid in the recovery of missing children.

1996

The Jaycees Wake Up America Tour bus began a journey through the 48 contiguous states promoting programs and membership. Social Security Reform Town Hall Meetings program initiated.

1997

Junior Chamber Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Advancement begun a program designed to train young entrepreneurs and improve local economies.

1998

Junior Chamber Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Advancement name changed to Junior Chamber Center for Business Advancement. Two new programs; National Business Network and Virtual Networking, added to encourage Junior Chamber members to business network via the internet both nationally and internationally.

1999

JAYS program reintroduced as an educational program that informs children about the dangers of smoking. Value Investing and Career Advancement added to the Junior Chamber Center for Business Advancement.

1980

Daisy/U.S. Jaycees Gun Safety/Shooting Education program honored with National Safety Council Award for Youth Activities.

1982

Healthy American Fitness Leaders adopted as national program.

1985

The U.S. Jaycees endorsed the Campaign for Liberty to encourage public support for restoration of the Statue of Liberty. St. Jude Fundraising adopted as national program.

1984

Bylaw change admitted women as full and regular members. Sign Up America campaign collected 1.5 million signatures supporting American Olympic athletes.

1986

First woman honored by Congress of Ten Outstanding Young Americans.

1987

Bylaw change established membership age as 21 through 39.

1970

Do Something campaign sparked national interest in volunteerism. Jaycees cooperation with other service organizations resulted in the founding of the National Center for Voluntary Action.

1971

More than 3,000,000 volunteer hours were provided by Jaycees to help administer seven million doses of rubella measles vaccine.

1973

The United States Jaycees Center for Improved Child Nutrition opened in Bloomington, Minnesota.

1972

Jaycees undertook model Operation Identification program to combat burglaries and aid crime prevention efforts. Five million stickers were distributed nationally through Operation Red Ball to reduce fire fatalities. Bylaw change admitted 18 year old's as regular members.

1977

Operation Threshold, a program dedicated to reducing alcohol abuse, reached more than 23 million Americans. Muscular Dystrophy Fundraising adopted as national program.

1961

First Governmental Affairs Leadership Seminar conducted.

1965

Jaycees presented first annual National Award of Distinction from National Clean Up-Paint Up-Fix Up Bureau.

1964

Project Concern adopted as International Relations activity. Program raised money and equipment for clinics providing medical care to Chinese refugees in Hong Kong.

1963

Clean Water Program launched to improve water quality in communities across America Gun Safety/Shooting Education adopted as a national program.

1962

Jaycees urge adoption of Uniform Vehicle Code, with emphasis on state action resulting in adoption nationally.

1966

Name of organization officially changed to U.S. Jaycees.

1951

War Memorial Headquarters in Tulsa dedicated. At urging of Andy Mungenast, the reference to Faith in God was added to the Jaycee Creed.

1953

Jaycees sponsored stops on Professional Golfers Association tour for first time at Greensboro, North Carolina, and Hartford, Connecticut.

1954

First Outstanding Young Farmer and Junior Tennis programs held.

1959

Jaycees supported statehood for Alaska. Hawaii gained statehood the following year due to Jaycee efforts.

1931

Distinguished Service Awards program established at the chapter level.

1935

Death of founder Henry Giessenbier.

1937

National Wildlife Federation established with guidance of USJC.

1936

Programs begun at state and national level to inform public of need for diagnosis and treatment of venereal disease.

1938

Future Magazine established. USJC name Ten Outstanding Young Men for the first time.

1939

Safety with Light campaign gained national attention as thousands of street lights were donated to communities by Jaycees.

1920

The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (USJCC) was formed in St. Louis, Missouri, with 3,000 members.

1923

Get Out The Vote was the first Jaycee program to receive national endorsement.

1926

Development of aviation adopted as a national project.

1925

Beginning of national projects; Know America First and Fire Prevention. Birth of EXPANSION, the first USJC national magazine.

1927

Jaycee Charles A. Lindbergh made the first solo flight between New York and Paris. Jaycees worked with Lindbergh to develop the U.S. Air Mail Service.