[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 55 (Monday, April 19, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 488--CONGRATULATING THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY 
   IFC/PANHELLENIC DANCE MARATHON (THON) ON ITS CONTINUED SUCCESS IN 
  SUPPORT OF THE FOUR DIAMONDS FUND AT PENN STATE HERSHEY CHILDREN'S 
                                HOSPITAL

  Mr. SPECTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 488

       Whereas the Pennsylvania State IFC/Panhellenic Dance 
     Marathon, known 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 hours 
     straight at the Bryce Jordan Center for THON, bringing energy 
     and excitement to campus for a mission to conquer cancer, and 
     bringing awareness to countless thousands more;
       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 cancer research;
       Whereas each year, THON is the single largest donor to the 
     Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, 
     having raised nearly $68,900,000 since 1977, when the 2 
     organizations first became affiliated;
       Whereas in 2010, THON set a new fundraising record of over 
     $7,830,000, besting the previous record of $7,500,000 was set 
     in 2009;
       Whereas THON support has helped more than 2,000 families 
     through the Four Diamonds Fund, is currently helping to build 
     a new Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at Penn State Hershey 
     Children's Hospital, and has helped support 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 Nation, including at high schools and colleges, 
     and continues to encourage students across the Nation to 
     volunteer and stay involved in great charitable causes in 
     their community: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Pennsylvania State University IFC/
     Panhellenic Dance Marathon (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 for their hard work 
     putting together another record-breaking THON.

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I seek recognition today to commend the 
Pennsylvania State University and the many students across the 
Commonwealth who each year play a very important role in the fight 
against cancer.
  The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, 
referred to as ``THON,'' is a yearlong effort to raise funds and 
awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. The effort culminates 
in a 2-day, no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. Since 1977, THON 
has raised more than $60 million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn 
State Children's Hospital. The Four Diamonds Fund was established by 
Charles and Irma Millard, after the death of their son, Christopher, 
who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11. In addition to helping 
with the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover, as well as 
expenses that may disrupt the welfare of the child, the Four Diamonds 
Fund supports the medical teams that care for the children and funds 
pediatric cancer research through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds 
Pediatric Cancer Research Institute.
  Since its inception, THON has assisted over 2,000 families and no 
family has been turned away from the Four Diamonds Fund. The hard work, 
dedication, and enthusiasm of thousands of student volunteers and 
hundreds of dancers combine with the support of the wider Penn State 
community and students across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to make 
a potent weapon in the fight against pediatric cancer. Thanks to their 
efforts, the fight is one we are ever closer to winning.
  To win the fight against pediatric cancer, and all cancers, once and 
for all, we need to continue to support vital medical research. When I 
came to the U.S. Senate in 1981, funding for the National Institutes of 
Health totaled $3.6 billion. Since becoming LHHS chairman in 1996, I 
have successfully worked to more than double NIH funding, which was 
$12.7 billion at that time. The fiscal year 2010 LHHS Appropriations 
bill provided $30.2 billion for NIH funding, an almost $1 billion 
increase from fiscal year 2009. I also secured an additional $10 
billion in funding through an amendment to the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act.
  I have fought and will continue to fight for increased funding for 
the NIH because medical research saves and improves lives. Medical 
research, along with significant community support through efforts such 
as THON, provides children with a real chance to be cured so that they 
may continue to grow and prosper.

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