[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6197]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING BRENT WHITLEY FOR HIS INSPIRING EXAMPLE OF SERVICE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Dahlkemper). Under a previous order of 
the House, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Brent Whitley, a 
student at Caldwell Community College in Watauga County, North 
Carolina. Brent recently learned about someone in the community who was 
battling cancer, and instead of just moving on, Brent decided to take 
action. His example shows what can be accomplished by people who set 
their minds on doing good for others.
  Brent is a volunteer at Watauga Medical Center, and during his 
service at the hospital, he noticed a posting in the Emergency Room 
about the Will Dicus fund. He immediately recognized the need to help 
Will Dicus, a young man in Watauga County who has been courageously 
battling cancer for several years.
  Over his college Christmas Break, Brent decided he would organize a 
fundraiser dance to help raise funds for Will's cancer treatment and, 
thus, ``Dance For Dicus'' was born.
  Brent tirelessly planned and fund-raised, contacting churches and 
businesses and igniting a spirit of community service. Soon, many 
people were calling and offering their services and help without 
solicitation from Brent. All it took was the energy, ambition and 
selflessness of one person who simply wanted to help someone in need.
  To illustrate Brent's true altruism in this situation, I learned that 
before he began to organize this fundraising effort, Brent did not even 
know Will Dicus. His desire was simply to help someone who needed 
assistance.
  I'm pleased to report that the ``Dance For Dicus'' fundraiser was a 
success. The event raised more than $5,000 for the Will Dicus fund and, 
just as importantly, raised awareness of Will Dicus' struggle with 
cancer. I had the great pleasure to be at the dance and see also the 
great number of volunteers who were there to help with the event.
  Brent, who is the Student Body President at Caldwell Community 
College, should be inspiration for average Americans everywhere. In a 
time when many, many Americans are facing real struggles, Brent Whitley 
demonstrated the power of one person to make a meaningful difference. I 
applaud Brent for his ethic of community service. His altruistic 
example is a true inspiration during these difficult times.

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