[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 97 (Wednesday, July 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE FINALISTS IN THE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 13, 2004

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge four 
extraordinary young people and their teacher for becoming one of eight 
teams competing nationally as finalists in the Christopher Columbus 
Awards. The four students, Emily London, Renee Millar, Alexandra Macho, 
and Sara Weaver, are all eighth-graders who attend River Bluff Middle 
School in Stoughton, WI. Coaching the team is dedicated teacher Breinne 
Carroll. Through this team's efforts, they have discovered a way to 
change their community by using science and technology.
  The students from River Bluff were concerned about blind pedestrians 
in their area and the risks that were involved when blind pedestrians 
crossed the street. The four students developed a raised strip that 
rests in the middle of crosswalks in order to help blind pedestrians 
walk in a safe manner from one side of a street to the other. The team 
calls their idea the ``Uni-Bump.''
  The team has plans for the future as well. They have applied for a 
provisional patent, which will give the team a year to get a prototype 
designed and built before a ``plant patent'' can be granted. Also, a 
company based out of New Jersey, Trellborg Engineered Systems, has even 
offered to develop the first functional prototype for the team.
  With imagination, teamwork, and the will to do kindly unto others, I 
am proud to say the team from River Bluff Middle School has not only 
made an impact on those in their own community, but will subsequently 
make a positive impact for others across the Nation.

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