[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1521-S1522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 379--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 considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 379

       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 711 
     dancers, more than 375 supporting organizations, and more 
     than 15,000 volunteers involved in the annual event;
       Whereas student volunteers at the Pennsylvania State 
     University annually collect

[[Page S1522]]

     money and dance for 46 hours straight at the Bryce Jordan 
     Center as part of THON, bringing energy and excitement to the 
     campus for THON's mission to conquer cancer and raise 
     awareness about the disease;
       Whereas all THON activities support the Four Diamonds Fund 
     at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, which funds cancer 
     research and provides financial and emotional support to 
     pediatric cancer patients and their families;
       Whereas in each year since 1977, when the 2 organizations 
     first became affiliated, THON has been the single largest 
     donor to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey 
     Children's Hospital;
       Whereas THON has raised more than $113,000,000 in total for 
     the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's 
     Hospital;
       Whereas in 2014, THON set a new fundraising record of 
     $13,343,517.33, besting the previous record of 
     $12,374,034.46, which was set in 2013;
       Whereas THON has helped more than 3,300 families through 
     the Four Diamonds Fund, is helping to build a new Pediatric 
     Cancer Pavilion at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, 
     and has supported life-saving pediatric cancer research that 
     has increased the survival rates for some pediatric cancers 
     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 
     in putting together another record-breaking THON.

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