[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF MADISON FORTENBERRY

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                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. MILLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Madison 
Fortenberry, whose incredible contributions to the field of robotics at 
the age of 16 serve as an example to young Americans throughout the 
United States.
  Mr. Fortenberry, a junior at Pace High School in Pace, Florida, has 
been pursuing his interests in science and technology from an early 
age. He utilizes multiple computer programming languages and works with 
a variety of micro-controllers in the creation of his robotics systems. 
While maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average, Madison finds time 
to teach both basic electronics and micro-controller programming to his 
high school Robotics Club and to conduct his own robotics summer camp 
for elementary school children.
  Madison has spent years studying and creating robotic systems, but 
his recent achievement deserves special recognition. Recently, he built 
a full-size, operational robot that can perform multiple autonomous 
tasks around Pace High School. The ``Versatile General-Purpose 
Experimental Robot,'' or VGER, has the ability to accept a message from 
the school's front office, ascertain a student's scheduled location, 
deliver the message, and record a response for delivery back to the 
front office. This self-navigating robot is 5 feet tall, weighs over 
200 pounds, contains 2 full computers and 11 micro-controllers, and 
even carries another small explorer robot that it can release to 
perform minor tasks. Robots like the VGER are usually developed in the 
advanced engineering labs of major universities; however, Mr. 
Fortenberry has created his robot with little assistance from his 
teachers. To have accomplished this enormous feat at such a young age 
is a testament to Madison's dedication and passion in the robotics 
field.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to 
honor Madison Fortenberry for his accomplishments in robotics, and I 
wish this young northwest Florida leader the best of luck on his future 
endeavours.

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