[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 112--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. CASEY (for himself and Mr. Toomey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 112

       Whereas the Pennsylvania State 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 hours 
     straight at the Bryce Jordan Center for THON, bringing energy 
     and excitement to campus for a mission to conquer cancer and 
     awareness about 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 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 more than $69,000,000 since 1977, when the 2 
     organizations first became affiliated;
       Whereas in 2011, THON set a new fundraising record of 
     $9,563,016.09, besting the previous record of $7,838,054.36, 
     which was set in 2010;
       Whereas THON 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 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 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.

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