[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 114 (Friday, July 14, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S10072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENTS FROM THE SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES 
                             AND TECHNOLOGY
  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, today, I would like to commend the 
recent accomplishments of the innovative students at the South Dakota 
School of Mines and Technology, SDSM&T, in Rapid City, SD. On Thursday, 
June 29, the SDSM&T solar motion team placed 16th in Sunrayce '95, a 
solar-powered car race from Indianapolis, IN to Golden, CO. Then, on 
July 1, SDSM&T engineering students captured the national title at the 
eighth annual National Concrete Canoe Competition here in Washington, 
DC.
  Sunrayce '95 was a 10-day, 1,150-mile cross-country race. Despite the 
cloudy and rainy conditions they experienced, the SDSM&T team still 
managed to better all other rookie teams with their solar-powered car, 
the Solar Rolar. On the last day of the meet, the team finished the 53-
mile race in seventh place, passing several top-ranked rivals. The 
teamwork and endurance demonstrated by this first-year team is 
admirable. They are sure to be contenders in the years to come.
  Last month, I had the privilege to visit with the SDSM&T concrete 
canoe team before their competition. The school was represented by a 
group of hard-working and dedicated individuals. After last year's 
fourth-place finish in the competition, these engineering students 
devoted much time to training and fine-tuning their 92 pound canoe, the 
Predator. Their efforts paid off as they competed in various divisions 
against 21 other colleges from across the country.
  Taking the first-place trophy was not all fun and games for the South 
Dakota team. The recent flooding which took place in Virginia sent 
debris floating down the Potomac River. The Predator was struck by a 
log and sustained minor damage, but repairs were made and the canoe 
remained in the competition.
  Muscle and boat design were not the only factors that determined the 
final outcome of the competition. A majority of team points were 
captured in verbal and written presentations about the canoe. When all 
was said and done, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology team 
accumulated the most team points, receiving a $5,000 scholarship for 
their efforts.
  Mr. President, I am extremely proud of the students from the School 
of Mines and Technology. They have proven that South Dakota students 
can compete--and be front-runners--in the field of civil engineering. A 
July 5, 1995, Rapid City Journal editorial praised the teams for their 
accomplishments and I ask that a copy of the editorial be printed at 
the end of my remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See exhibit 1.)
  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, again I congratulate the administrators, 
teachers, and students of the South Dakota School of Mines and 
Technology for their great work. They have given added meaning to the 
South Dakota work ethic. I wish them continued success in the future.
                               Exhibit 1

              [From the Rapid City Journal, July 5, 1995]

                         A Banner Week for Tech

       Teams from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology 
     displayed the quality of the schools's technical expertise 
     and people.
       Last week, people across America, particularly those in 
     circles of higher education, were finding out something that 
     people in our community already know but sometimes take for 
     granted:
       South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is an outstanding 
     institution of higher learning that attracts quality students 
     and faculty.
       On Saturday, Tech won the 8th annual National Concrete 
     Canoe Race put on in Washington, D.C., by the American 
     Society of Civil Engineers. Among the 22 competing schools, 
     Tech was the champion.
       On Thursday, Tech's Solar Motion team finished 16th in the 
     grueling Sunrayce '95, a solar-powered vehicle race from 
     Indianapolis, Ind., to Golden, Colo.
       On Friday, Tech's effort in Sunrayce '95 was rewarded with 
     a pair of honors that typify the best of Tech.
       The quality of the school's engineering expertise was 
     recognized in the awarding of a plaque and a $1,000 cash 
     prize for the best overall use of technology in its Sunrayce 
     vehicle.
       The quality of the school's people was recognized in a 
     humanitarian award to Ragnar Toennessen, race manager for 
     Solar Motion, for going above and beyond the call of duty. On 
     the race's final leg, Toennessen and communications 
     specialist Zach Spencer left Tech's chase vehicle to help 
     Iowa State team members after their car blew a tire and 
     wrecked. Toennessen was still directing traffic around the 
     wrecked vehicle when Tech's entry crossed the finish line 
     almost an hour later.
       Tech's efforts in both the concrete canoe race and Sunrayce 
     '95 showed that the school is achieving its mission to 
     prepare students to meet the demands of the coming century--
     demands that will require not only a high level of technical 
     expertise but also a sensitivity for human needs.
       Thanks to the work of these two teams, more people across 
     America now know what people here have known for a long time: 
     Tech is an outstanding school.
     

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