[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATING VOICES OF UNITY YOUTH CHOIR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM BANKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 2024

  Mr. BANKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Voices of Unity 
Youth Choir as they head to Auckland, New Zealand to compete in the 
2024 World Choir Games.
  This honor is well deserved, considering the setbacks the choir has 
faced over the last few years. Perhaps the most significant of these 
recent challenges was the departure of over 40 of their student 
participants in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This did not hinder 
Voices of Unity; they rallied by launching the ``Rising With Purpose 
Rebuilding Initiative,'' which engaged a new wave of talented Northeast 
Indiana youth.
  It was with this soulful new chorale group that Voices of Unity 
achieved this tremendous success. Unity will be representing Fort Wayne 
across the world in the Gospel Music Category of the ``Olympics'' of 
the chorale world. This experience will be transformational for the 
young people involved, and an ideal opportunity for them to represent 
their community, culture, and Nation to an international audience.
  I am proud that our community will be represented by this choir with 
beautiful song, and I congratulate the singers, staff, and board of 
Voices of Unity Youth Choir on their great achievement.

                          ____________________