III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 411 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 29, 2012 Mr. Casey submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Congratulating the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

Whereas the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (referred to in this preamble as THON) is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, with 700 dancers, more than 300 supporting organizations, and more than 15,000 volunteers involved in the annual event; Whereas student volunteers at the Pennsylvania State University annually collect money and dance for 46 consecutive hours at the Bryce Jordan Center for THON, bringing energy and excitement to the Pennsylvania State University campus for the mission of conquering pediatric cancer and promoting awareness of the disease to thousands of individuals; Whereas all THON activities support the mission of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, which provides financial and emotional support to pediatric cancer patients and their families and funds research on pediatric cancer; Whereas, each year, THON is the largest donor to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, having raised more than $88,000,000 since 1977, when the 2 organizations first became affiliated; Whereas, in 2012, THON set a new fundraising record of $10,686,924.83, surpassing the previous record of $9,563,016.09, set in 2011; Whereas THON— (1)has helped more than 2,000 families through the Four Diamonds Fund; (2)is helping to build a new Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital; and (3)has supported pediatric cancer research that has caused some pediatric cancer survival rates to increase to nearly 90 percent; and Whereas THON has inspired similar events and organizations across the United States, including at high schools and institutions of higher education, and continues to encourage students across the United States to volunteer and stay involved in great charitable causes in their communities: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)congratulates the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (referred to in this resolution as THON) on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital; and (2)commends the Pennsylvania State University students, volunteers, and supporting organizations who worked hard to put together another record-breaking THON.