[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6, ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ROGER F. WICKER

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, the Energy Policy Act that the House passed 
yesterday includes a commitment by Congress to make a significant 
investment for research and development into renewable and alternative 
sources of energy. As demand for clean and reliable energy increases, 
it is imperative that America's young people be introduced and educated 
in conservation and alternative energy. To decrease foreign dependence, 
we must increase our knowledge and ability to foster our own forms of 
energy. With that in mind, it is with great pleasure that I inform this 
body of some recent educational achievements in alternative energy 
sources.
  The Dell-Winston Solar Challenge is an educational competition among 
high school teams from across our Nation using solar powered cars. The 
competition began ten years ago at the Winston School in Dallas, Texas, 
to promote science and engineering to high school students. This unique 
competition has grown significantly since its inception. Technology and 
Learning magazine has named this Solar Race Challenge as one of the 10 
Most Innovative Projects in Education.
  In an effort to produce a competitive solar-powered vehicle, teams 
spent up to eighteen months designing and building the sun-fueled 
racers. The nine teams crossed the finish line at the Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory in Pasadena, California, after an eight-day race that began 
in Round Rock, Texas. The 1600-mile competition concluded this year as 
the winning team set a new race record with a top speed of 57 miles per 
hour. I am immensely proud that the winner of this race is located in 
my district, from the city of Houston, Mississippi.
  This race team from a town with about 4,000 people consistently 
dominates the competition from much larger cities and schools. This 
remarkable team from the Houston Vocational Center is under the 
guidance of adviser and race coach Keith Reese. The team includes: 
captain Katie Weaver and members Tyler Davis, Austin Jordan, Stefanie 
Barkley, Brister Bishop, Matt Jernigan, David Peel, Leign Anna 
Springer, Mason Faulkner, Quinton Grice, Callie Weaver, Katie Weaver, 
Jesse Lal, Roderick Wiley, and Andrea Westmoreland. I am proud of each 
one these individuals. Their hard work and dedication is evident in the 
finished product.
  The winning tradition of this team includes more than the 
aforementioned teachers and students. This project has grown into a 
community event. Support from the City of Houston is as consistent as 
the team's success. It is evident that these constituents have 
recognized the positive impact projects like these provide.
  Year after year dedicated students and teachers build and race these 
advanced solar powered machines. This year marks the fifth consecutive 
time the Houston Race Team has won the coveted title. To quote Bubba 
Weir, the Executive Director of The Mississippi Alternative Energy 
Enterprise, ``The Program integrates classroom principles in a real-
life situation that fosters learning and encourages the students to 
work to the best of their ability.''

  This team brings much more than a trophy back to Mississippi; they 
bring a renewed emphasis and excitement to the fields of science and 
energy research. As the number of students studying math and science 
decreases nationwide, programs such as these pay dividends in increased 
interest in these fields. Dr. Lehman Marks, the founder and director of 
the Dell-Winston Race described it as ``A Challenge that helps teach 
high school students the 21st century skills they need to be successful 
in the future, whether it's to become the scientists and engineers of 
tomorrow or wherever their paths may lead.''
  I am encouraged when I see future leaders taking the initiative to 
compete and excel in this demanding contest. Programs like this 
demonstrate the importance of implementing new education techniques. 
Projects outside the classroom environment generate learning that 
enhances knowledge students receive from traditional instruction. The 
challenges in the fields of math and science are changing, and I am 
proud that Mississippi's educators are training students to meet these 
challenges head on.
  The success of the Houston solar race team has spread statewide, and 
many other Mississippi schools are beginning to experiment in 
alternative energy education programs. It is good to see young 
Mississippians leading the way through these innovative projects. 
Congratulations to the Houston Solar Race Team for an extraordinary 
performance and a job well done. The city of Houston, Chickasaw County, 
the entire State of Mississippi, and the United States of America are 
very proud of you.

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