[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY TAKE FIRST PLACE IN ROCKY 
              MOUNTAIN REGIONAL CONCRETE CANOE COMPETITION

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology on earning 
first place for their remarkable display of ingenuity and design at the 
2002 Rocky Mountain Regional Concrete Canoe Competition in Logan, UT.
  Under the supervision of their advisor, Dr. Marion Hansen, the team 
earned their 14th first place regional win within the last 16 years. 
This win qualifies the team for the National Concrete Canoe Competition 
hosted by Drexel University in June. South Dakota School of Mines and 
Technology's American Society of Civil Engineering program has a strong 
record of finding ingenious solutions to complex problems, and has 
placed in the top five in the National Concrete Canoe Competition five 
times as well as winning the over all national competition in 1995.
  Based on appearance, weight, presentation, and sprint and endurance 
races for men, women, and co-ed squads, the South Dakota School of 
Mines and Technology team defeated teams from Wyoming, Utah, and 
Colorado for their first place win. To effectively implement their 
strategy, students worked as a whole and within centralized teams, such 
as hull design, mix design, construction, and paddling, to bring the 
project together as an award-winning canoe. This win reflects the work 
ethic and dedication that is so visible in the state of South Dakota.
  I want to acknowledge Dr. Richard J. Gowen, president of the South 
Dakota School of Mines and Technology, as well as Dr. Marion R. Hansen, 
for their guidance and support to help make this year's team so 
successful. I also want to congratulate all of this year's team 
members: Steve Lipetzky, Andy Coats, Ryan Hamilton, Dave Lowe, Eric 
Gassland, Jen Pohl, Mandy Kost, Katie Zeller, Tarar Boehmer, Wade Lein, 
and Marshall Cassady.
  Again, congratulations to the South Dakota School of Mines and 
Technology on winning their 14th regional concrete canoe 
competition.

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