[Page S7889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              RECOGNIZING THE VOICES OF UNITY YOUTH CHOIR

<bullet> Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, today I honor the Voices of Unity 
Youth Choir of Fort Wayne, IN, for outstanding achievement this past 
year at the sixth World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China.
  The Voices of Unity Youth Choir was the first Indiana choir invited 
to participate in the World Choir Games, the world's largest choir 
competition. Known as the Choir Olympics, this year's contest featured 
more than 400 choirs comprised of 27,000 singers from 80 countries 
around the world.
  One of only six American youth choirs invited to China, Voices of 
Unity won gold medals in two musical categories: popular choral music 
and gospel and spiritual. In addition, these Hoosiers won the title of 
World Grand Champion in the gospel and spiritual category.
  Voices of Unity benefitted tremendously from the support of the Fort 
Wayne community who gave time and money to ensure these students had 
the opportunity to travel to China and share their talent with the 
world. In just 5 short months, Voices of Unity raised enough money to 
send 101 students and volunteers to China for the competition.
  I particularly want to recognize Marshall White, founder of Unity 
Performing Arts Foundation, the home of Voices of Unity, for his 
tireless leadership.
  I am honored to congratulate the World Champion Voices of Unity Youth 
Choir of Fort Wayne for this extraordinary achievement and for the 
teamwork, discipline, and hard work it takes to become 
champions.<bullet>

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