[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 80 (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING COOPER BARNES, TUCKER BARNES, CONNOR MAGID, AND STEVEN 
                        PARKER OF VENETA, OREGON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2008

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cooper Barnes, 
Tucker Barnes, Connor Magid, and Steven Parker of Veneta, Oregon. These 
Veneta Elementary School students are 2008 National ExploraVision 
winners. The team earned first place in the grade 4-6 division for 
designing an underwater energy generator to harness the power of ocean 
waves.
  The team accepted the challenge of this extracurricular activity with 
enthusiasm, determined to create a technology for clean energy 
generation that was simple and cost-effective. They were supported and 
encouraged by their teacher and project coach, Michelle Beller, and 
Mentor Scottie Barnes. Their working prototype, the Wavemaster, 
successfully fused science, technology, and imagination, and it worked!
  ExploraVision, now in its sixteenth year, is sponsored by the 
National Science Teachers Association and Toshiba. The competition 
highlights the natural curiosity and creativity of kids. The student 
projects showcase their innate desire to explore, experiment, invent, 
and ask really good questions.
  Congratulations to Steven, Connor, Tucker, and Cooper for their 
outstanding achievement. I am proud to represent these young Oregon 
scientists and excited about the potential of the Wavemaster.

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