[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1005-E1006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE WINNERS AND SPONSORS OF THE 24 CHALLENGE MATH 
                      TOURNAMENT IN SAN DIEGO, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 2, 2004

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the winners 
of the 24 Challenge Math Tournament in San Diego, CA and to express my 
appreciation to the sponsors who helped to make the tournament 
possible.
  The 24 game is played with decks of cards with each card displaying 
four numbers. The numbers vary in complexity from single digits to 
fractions, decimals and exponents. Students combine the numbers to make 
24 by using basic math operations and mental calculations. The 24 
Challenge involves tournament-style programs using the 24 game to spark 
in-class, school wide and regional mathematics competitions. Students 
prepare for tournament play by practicing games both in and outside the 
classroom for eight to twelve weeks prior to year-end regional 
championship competitions.
  In San Diego, the regional tournament is held each year during the 
Congressional Memorial Day recess at the San Diego Aerospace Museum. 
This year's tournament was held on Wednesday, May 26. I would like to 
recognize the winners of San Diego's 24 Challenge: (Alvin Balmeo of Las 
Palmas E.S., Grade 4/5 winner; Ling Yeung of Del Mar Hills E.S., Grade 
6 winner; Sofie Christlieb of Standley M.S., Grade 7/8 winner; and 
Michael Kim of Standley M.S., Platinum Master.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding these dedicated and 
hardworking students. I also encourage my colleagues to host 
tournaments in their Congressional districts. Over the years, this 
exciting math program has engaged millions of students from all 
backgrounds. The 24 Game provides students with a common ground for 
developing math fluency and game play helps children develop skills 
such as number sense, pattern sensing, problem solving and mental math. 
At the same time, the 24 Challenge math tournaments encourage students 
to embrace the spirit of competition.

[[Page E1006]]

  I would also like to thank the sponsors of the San Diego 24 Challenge 
Tournament: The San Diego Chargers; NBC 7/39; WestEd; SONY; Gen-Probe; 
and Greater San Diego Math Council.
  These sponsors have recognized the need for students to build strong 
skills in problem solving, mental math and reasoning. The support of 
these sponsors is absolutely critical for helping San Diego's students 
to achieve by applying the skills that they learn in the classroom. I 
would like to offer a special ``thank you'' to Gen-Probe, a 
biotechnology company headquartered in my district, who sponsored the 
tournament for the first time this year. I would also like to thank Bob 
Sun and Nan Ronis for the tireless efforts to make these tournaments 
all across the country a success. In closing, I urge my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the achievement of the winners of the San Diego 
24 Challenge Math Tournament, as well as the commitment of the sponsors 
who helped to make it possible.

                          ____________________