[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORT FOR DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SHERWOOD BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the House Committee on 
Science, I am an avid supporter of programs that encourage the youth of 
America to push the limits of innovation and originality in science. 
One such program is the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge.
  Created in 1999, Discovery Communications, Inc., designed the 
Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge as part of the solution to 
America's chronic underachievement in science and math. The annual 
national contest responds to evidence that academic performance and 
interest in science among American students declines dramatically as 
students become older. This is particularly evident during the middle 
school years.
  For these reasons, the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge 
identifies and honors America's top middle school student who 
demonstrates the best skills in leadership, teamwork, and scientific 
problem solving. More than 6,000 middle school students have entered 
the challenge since its inception in order to compete for the title of 
``America's Top Young Scientist of the Year.'' Since 1999, scholarship 
awards for the students have totaled more than $400,000 and challenge 
winners have participated in science-related trips to far-off places, 
including the Roslin Institute in Midlothian, Scotland, and the El 
Yunque rain forest in Puerto Rico.
  On September 17, 2003, Discovery Communications, Inc., announced the 
40 middle school students who have advanced to the finals of the 
Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. Selected from more than 
1,700 entrants, the ``Final Forty'' represent an elite group of young 
Americans who demonstrated exceptional creativity and communications 
skills in original science research projects. To commemorate the 
centennial of the Wright Brothers' first flight, this year's finalists 
will compete in a multitude of experiments involving the science of 
flight. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on October 
22, 2003.
  The finalists for the 2003 Discovery Channel Young Scientist 
Challenge are: Jeffrey Luttrell of Tempe, Arizona; Tyler Kirkland of 
Tucson, Arizona; David Edwards V of Tucson, Arizona; Bobby Fisher of 
Laguna Niguel, California; Jacob Rucker of Del Mar, California; Dana 
Feeny of Woodside, California; John Reid of Redlands, California; 
Samantha Bates of San Carlos, California; Patrick Saris of Newbury 
Park, California; Justin Koh of Bakersfield, California; Taylor 
Simpkins of Costa Mesa, California; Scott Presbrey of Fort Myers, 
Florida; Peter Borden of Fort Myers, Florida; Bran Yancey of Miami, 
Florida; Sravya Keremane of Gainesville, Florida; Sarah Gerin of West 
Palm Beach, Florida; Joseph Stunzi of Watkinsville, Georgia; Bryce 
Melton of Terre Haute, Indiana; Anthony Burnetti of Derwood, Maryland; 
Ethan Roth of Kansas City, Missouri; Elena Ovaitt of Weston, Missouri; 
Austin Minor of Lee's Summit, Missouri; Rachel Clements of Albuquerque, 
New Mexico; Leah Crowder of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Michael Klein of 
Atlantic Beach, New York; Ryan Lee of Hamilton, Ohio; Bogna Brzezinska 
of Upper Arlington, Ohio; Lorren Kezmoh of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 
Katie Sloop of El Paso, Texas; Daniel Steck of San Antonio, Texas; Aron 
Trevino of San Antonio, Texas; Luis Lafer-Sousa of San Antonio, Texas; 
Elizabeth Monier of Boerne, Texas; Ian Cummings of Clearfield, Utah; 
Spencer Larson of Springville, Utah; Ryker Watts of Alpine, Utah; 
Zachary Hopkins of Highland, Utah; Jennifer Gutman of Wheeling, West 
Virginia; and Erica David of Pinedale, Wyoming.
  At a time when science and technology plays such an enormous role in 
our lives, I believe it is imperative that we continue to support and 
nurture the next generation of young scientists. I would like to 
congratulate these students for their dedication and hard work in the 
name of science and wish them all good luck during the 2003 Discovery 
Channel Young Scientist Challenge.

                          ____________________