[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10673]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        A TRIBUTE TO THE BELLES OF INDIANA ON THEIR 45TH REUNION

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise before you today to recognize 
the Belles of Indiana who are celebrating their 45th Reunion this 
summer. The Belles of Indiana, a choral group comprised of Indiana 
University students, were the first singing group to perform overseas 
with the United Service Organizations (USO). The Belles entertained 
soldiers stationed in Japan and Korea, performing 75 shows in 77 days 
during the summer of 1955. Their voices and energy brought great joy to 
all those who heard them perform. These singers displayed strong 
patriotism for their country and acted as outstanding ambassadors from 
Indiana. I am pleased to submit their names for the Congressional 
Record because of their great contributions to our soldiers and 
country.
  I would like to commend the following members on their participation: 
Doris Day Block, Robert Bluemle, Vera Scammon Broughton, Dennis Escol, 
Roberta Ratliff Graham, Sondra Gauthier Harroff, Sally Graham Johnson, 
Helen Rapp Nefkens, Sandra Pawol Overack, Carolyn Hill Pain, Joyce 
Harrod Sakakini, Nancy Speed Schultz, Sue Ann Steeves, Cynthia Findley 
Stewart, Annabelle Baldridge Menguy, Sharlie Shull Stuart, Linda 
Foncannon Tucker, Ellen Dallas Wiggins, Mary Musgrave Wirts, Joyce 
Lancaster Voit, and Barbara Lockard Zimmerman. I would also like to 
recognize those members of the Belles of Indiana who are no longer with 
us: Eugene and Keitha Bayless, (Choral Director and his wife), Mary 
Mauer, Irma Batley Corcoran, Mary Sinclair Baron, and Joan Drew Irwin.
  I am pleased to pay tribute to these great Americans whose positive 
attitude and high energy boosted morale for our overseas troops. The 
history of America is replete with stories of its sons and daughters 
being summoned and responding to their nation's call to duty. It is a 
proud history of accomplishment, honor, and victory. The Belles of 
Indiana answered their nation's call to duty and diligently persevered 
to be emissaries for the families and friends of servicemen who were 
far away from home.
  I extend my congratulations to the Belles of Indiana for being the 
first entertainment group to travel and perform with the United Service 
Organization. I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring these 
courageous women and men for their valiant service to our 
country.

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