[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3022-S3023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING DANCEBLUE

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I invite my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating the University of Kentucky's DanceBlue 
student organization and 24-hour dance marathon. This organization 
operates through the support and leadership of UK students, faculty, 
and staff as well as the Lexington community. The organization improves 
the lives of children and families suffering from childhood cancer 
through the Golden Matrix Fund, and helps serve the Bluegrass by 
assisting those treated at the University of Kentucky Pediatric 
Oncology Clinic. In just 4 years of operation, the DanceBlue 
organization has raised over $1 million towards research in childhood 
cancer. I would like to take this time to recognize the student 
leadership behind DanceBlue: Erin Priddy, Caitlin Mullen, Betsy Cooper, 
Joshua Rupp, Carson Massler, Townsend Miller, Colin Wheeler, and Tyler 
Bolin.
  Erin Priddy is a senior from Louisville, KY, and is the DanceBlue 
overall chair for this year. She is the fourth individual to preside 
over DanceBlue operations. Erin has spent many of her days and nights 
planning this year-long fundraising process which builds up the actual 
dance marathon, as well as being a full time student. The success of 
this organization would not be possible without the dedication and hard 
work of Erin.
  Caitlin Mullen is the vice chair for the DanceBlue organization and 
is also in her senior year at the University of Kentucky. Caitlin's 
hard work this entire year on the budget for the organization, as well 
as maintaining the organization's committees and keeping them together 
are a value to the entire university.
  Betsy Cooper is a senior from Paducah, KY, and is the dance marathon 
programming chair. Betsy's role with DanceBlue involves planning, 
organizing, and orchestrating the entire 24-hour period of which the 
Dance Marathon consists including overseeing 650 student dancers that 
will dance for 24-hours.
  Joshua Rupp is a senior from Louisville, KY, and is involved with 
many organizations on campus. His role with DanceBlue is the rules, 
regulations and operations chair. He is in charge of the logistics for 
the dance marathon which took place this past weekend. Josh's influence 
and presence on the University of Kentucky is a benefit to the school 
and the community.
  Carson Massler is a senior from Louisville, KY, and graduate of 
Sacred Heart Academy. Her role with DanceBlue is the family relations 
chair. Her position is vital to the organization since she serves as a 
liaison between the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic and Golden Matrix Fund 
families and DanceBlue. The partnerships she has created serve as a 
sign of hope that this organization will continue to flourish for many 
more years.

[[Page S3023]]

  Townsend Miller is a senior from Lexington, KY, and is the corporate 
relations chair. Townsend's role with DanceBlue this year involves 
maintaining relationships with corporate sponsors of DanceBlue, and he 
is the representative of DanceBlue to local and national businesses.
  Colin Wheeler is from Bowling Green, KY, and serves as the marketing 
chair for DanceBlue. Colin's work on public relations, press releases, 
press kits and promotional materials is one of the main reasons why the 
organization and 24-hour dance marathon is such a big success.
  Tyler Bolin is a senior from Owensboro, KY, and serves as the special 
events chair. Tyler has worked hard throughout the entire year planning 
events that help build up to the dance marathon. His hard work and 
motivation are truly an inspiration to all who meet him.
  I am grateful that these students serve the people of the 
Commonwealth. I am confident that the children, families, and students 
whose lives they touch are all thankful for the opportunity to know 
them. The money that is raised through DanceBlue helps patients receive 
better care while improving the lives of children and their families 
suffering from childhood cancer. The funds are also going directly to 
pediatric cancer research initiatives that are helping to find a cure.
  Mr. President, I would like to thank these individuals for their 
contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the University of 
Kentucky, and the Lexington community. I wish them well in all their 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________