[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN'S SOLAR CAR TEAM FOR WINNING 
                   THE NORTH AMERICAN SOLAR CHALLENGE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2008

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
University of Michigan's Solar Car Team on their recent victory in the 
North American Solar Challenge.
  The team finished the 2,400-mile course in just over 50 hours, and 
beat 15 other universities, including the second-place team by an 
astonishing 10 hours. The victory marks the University's fifth in the 
nine races since the North American Solar Challenge began in 1990.
  The University of Michigan Solar Car Team is an entirely student-run 
organization whose purpose is to design, finance, build, and race a 
solar-powered vehicle in competitions around North America and the 
world. With more than 100 members, Solar Car is one of the largest 
student organizations on campus, including students from the College of 
Engineering, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, the Ross 
School of Business, the School of Art and Design, and the School of 
Education.
  This victory is a testament to the team's hard work, creativity, and 
determination. Many of the students have worked on their car for two 
years. They raised money, created new systems, tested their designs, 
and made the necessary tweaks to ensure the car was ready for 
competition. All of this hard work paid off on Tuesday, when they 
captured their fifth title.
  As University President Mary Sue Coleman said, ``These students have 
demonstrated the promise of alternative energy and new technologies 
with the championship run of their car, Continuum. The campus community 
applauds such an impressive performance in this year's race.''
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
students and faculty supervisors of the University of Michigan's Solar 
Car Team.

                          ____________________