[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS FROM WEST PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL'S ACADEMY OF 
  AUTOMOTIVE AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FOR THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE 
                    CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE TOUR DE SOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2006

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the West 
Philadelphia High School's Academy for Automotive and Mechanical 
Engineering for winning their second Tour de Sol Championship.
  The National 2006 Tour de Sol, a nationwide competition, allows 
students and entrepreneurs to showcase their efforts to design vehicles 
that approach zero climate change emissions and reduce oil use. The 
Tour de Sol highlights the largest innovations in alternative-energy 
technology and advanced fuel vehicles, showcasing the future of the 
clean-energy and transportation industries. The cars are put through 
rigorous tests to assess emissions, fuel economy, and other technical 
standards.

  The Tour de Sol provides a key platform for vehicle manufacturers, 
students, and entrepreneurs to demonstrate future designs and current 
products that aim to reduce oil use and climate change emissions to 
near zero. This year, over 50 teams from all over the world 
participated in the Tour de Sol Championship, which began in 1989. The 
competition aims to inspire students and businesses to design, build, 
showcase, and use concept vehicles that push the envelope and work 
toward the ultimate goal of the event.
  The winner of the coveted ``Student Hybrid and Alternative Fuel 
Division'' was awarded to one of the only high school teams to enter 
the competition, West Philadelphia High School's Academy for Automotive 
and Mechanical Engineering, for their Hybrid biodiesel electric car 
called The Attack. The team beat university and private teams from 
around the country for developing a vehicle that demonstrates high 
energy efficiency. The Attack ran the equivalent of 50 miles per gallon 
of gasoline.
  I salute the students, faculty and team sponsors who worked 
tirelessly over the past 2 years to construct a hybrid vehicle that 
efficiently uses gas to create a cleaner environment. I applaud their 
efforts and congratulate them on a winning design that makes all 
Philadelphians proud.

                          ____________________