[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   HONORING ODYSSEY OF THE MIND TEAMS

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 1999

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
achievements of a group of young people who have distinguished 
themselves as some of the brightest in the world. On July 6, school and 
local officials, friends, and family, gathered to honor students from 
Mason Middle School and Crary Middle School, both located in Waterford, 
Michigan, for their success in the Odyssey of the Mind world 
competition, recently held in Knoxville, Tennessee.
  Students from Mason Middle School placed fifth out of 58 teams in the 
vehicle problem category, designing a vehicle that would travel through 
three countries, without touching the ground, and setting off a 
specific event upon entering the country. Through the use of superior 
problem solving skills, the Mason team created a vehicle that would 
travel through China, Egypt, and the United States. In addition to 
placing fifth, the team won the Ranatra Fusca Award, the competition's 
highest honor for creativity.
  The Mason team includes Alysse Cohen, Robert Dziurda, Tamara Haynes, 
Caitlin Johnson, Megan Long, and Elizabeth McGregor. Their coaches are 
Suzy Cohen and Robin McGregor.
  Students from Crary Middle School placed sixth out of 53 teams in the 
environmental challenge category, creating a series of possible 
habitats for an animal following the destruction of the creature's 
original habitat, with the judges given the ability to randomly poison 
one of the habitats.
  The Crary team includes Alex Caryl, Eric Chapman, Steve Grabowski, 
Brad Howell, and Jeff Ritter. The coaches were Angela and Tom Chapman.
  Odyssey of the Mind teams provide a large opportunity for some of 
country's brightest young people to exercise their cognitive and 
problem-solving skills. To compete in a world competition, a team must 
place first in the state in their category. It is rare for more than 
one team from the same school district, and even more rare for them 
both to perform as highly as Mason and Crary has done.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time when the future of our young adults is a 
constant concern, I am very happy to honor these students and the 
parents who have taken time out of their schedules to coach the teams. 
I ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to join me in congratulating 
Mason and Crary Middle Schools.

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